Talking HealthTech

In this audio-only episode of Talking HealthTech, Dr Max Mollenkopf, a Newcastle GP and practice owner, speaks with Tim Doyle, founder and CEO of Eucalyptus, about the evolution and future of primary care in Australia. The discussion explores Eucalyptus’s digital health model, how it is changing patient experiences, supporting clinicians, and connecting with traditional general practice. The conversation covers key challenges facing healthcare today, including continuity of care, regulatory considerations, clinician engagement, and the shifting expectations of patients in a digital era. They share candid insights on scaling digital clinics, balancing technology with human connection, and the opportunities and limitations of hybrid care models. This episode offers practical perspectives on how digital and traditional care can work together, the evolving role of the GP, and what the next generation of Australian healthcare may look like. Key Takeaways 🩺 The rise of digital-first clinics is changing how patients interact with primary care, focusing on convenience and continuity through technology. 👩‍⚕️ Clinician independence and quality assurance, including pre-screening and audit systems, are central to responsible digital healthcare delivery. 💡 Patient engagement is evolving, with increased demand for more data, self-ownership of health, and a desire for ongoing support beyond traditional appointments. 💬 The lines between wellness, primary care, and marketplace health products are blurring, raising questions around clinician roles, value, and regulation. 🔗 Integrating digital and in-person (hybrid) care paths is viewed as essential for the future, with attention to necessary safeguards, incentives, and patient consent. Timestamps 00:00 — Introduction 00:36 —Dr. Max Mollenkopf on panel experiences and challenging ideas 02:02 —Tim Doyle explains Eucalyptus’s origins and vision 06:11 — Addressing continuity, fragmentation, and care platforms 13:29 — Access to health information and regulatory challenges 17:33 — Business models, clinician obligations, and monetisation 24:45 — Regulation, industrial standards, and cannabis clinics 26:58 — Quality audits and the role of technology in large-scale care 32:23 — Value in care, rebates, and consulting models 37:00 — The intersection of wellness, screening, and preventative health 42:38 — A hybrid model for future healthcare Want to keep the conversation going? The full article and extended show notes for this episode are available inside the THT+ Community here: View Full Article Here In the THT+ Community, our members keep the discussion going, share perspectives, and unpack what this episode actually means in practice with other people working in healthtech. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to full articles, episode discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus. And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps.

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch sits down with Dr Vienna Tran, Professor Gordon Cable, and Dr Lisa Brown to explore the fascinating intersection of healthcare and space. The discussion focuses on space medicine and how clinicians care for astronauts living in microgravity, exposed to radiation, and operating far from Earth’s hospitals. Learn about the unique challenges of human physiology in space, from fluid shifts and bone loss to immune changes and heightened cancer risks. The panel also examines how technologies developed for astronauts, including wearable health monitors, AI-driven diagnostics, telemedicine systems, and on-demand medical tools, are now being adapted for remote and resource-limited healthcare settings on Earth. The conversation highlights the parallels between rural healthcare in Australia and medicine in space, drawing on lessons from the Royal Flying Doctor Service and other innovative programs. It also explores the role of international collaboration, cross-disciplinary research, and microgravity studies in shaping the future of both space missions and terrestrial medicine. Key Takeaways 🚀 Space medicine is likened to extreme remote healthcare, highlighting autonomy and resourcefulness. 🧑‍🔬 Technologies originally developed for space, like telemedicine and imaging tools, now benefit rural healthcare in Australia. 🌱 Innovations such as plant growth research and pharmaceuticals in microgravity have Earth applications, impacting food security and medicine shelf-life. 🧠 Deep space missions require new psychological and physical support systems due to isolation and altered gravity. 🩺 Collaborative research in Australia and New Zealand is advancing knowledge in areas like organ health, gallstone formation, and cancer associated with space environments. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 02:13 – Dr Vienna Tran 22:25 – Professor Gordon Cable 39:20 – Dr Lisa Brown Want to keep the conversation going? The full article and extended show notes for this episode are available inside the THT+ Community here: View the Full Article Here In the THT+ Community, our members keep the discussion going, share perspectives, and unpack what this episode actually means in practice with other people working in healthtech. If you’re enjoying the show and want access to full articles, episode discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus. And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps.

This is a special bonus episode of the Talking Healthtech podcast featuring one of the shows in our Podcast Network called MSIA - The Good Tech Podcast. In this episode of the MSIA Good Tech Podcast, we speak with Kirk Kikirekov from HealthTrack, Chris Smeed from Cubico, Dr Safwan Sayyal from Sayyal Health Services, Helen Souris from Cardihab, Cameron Sampson from Telstra Health, Maxwell Holmes from MediRecords, Marcus Wilson from Surgical Partners, Robert Best from MIMS, Jan Chaffey and Cameron Jaffrey from Stat Health. This special episode is focused on essential software tools for GPs and specialists, highlighting the leading solutions helping Australian healthcare providers streamline processes, maintain safety, improve efficiency, and support sustainability. A series of in-depth interviews with founders, CEOs, clinicians, and product leads from multiple companies serving primary and specialist care. Covering the development and evolution of clinical and practice management systems, data integration, digital transformation, medication safety, multidisciplinary care, billing and business optimisation, and prevention. Key Takeaways:

This is a special bonus episode of the Talking Healthtech podcast featuring one of the shows in our Podcast Network called MSIA - The Good Tech Podcast. In this episode of the MSIA - The Good Tech Podcast, we speak with Gerard Stevens from Webster Care, Dr Ben Hurst from HotDoc, Dr Frank Pyefinch and Lorraine Pyefinch from Best Practice, and Jenny O’Neil from Episoft about the journeys of industry founders, inventors, and stars who have shaped the landscape of Australian health technology. Covering the personal stories behind the development of well-known products such as the Webster Pack, HotDoc, Best Practice, and Episoft. Each guest shares the inspiration that led to their innovations, challenges faced during their development, and the ongoing impact of their work within healthcare. Exploring topics in creating practical technology for medication management, driving efficiency in clinical settings, the role of practitioner founders in product success, interoperability, and advice for new entrants to the sector. Focusing on real-world problems, the iterative nature of health tech innovation, and the critical need to address evolving requirements in the industry. Key Takeaways: The MSIA Good Tech Podcast responds to hot health topics through expert commentary with practical working responses from industry. Each episode brings you expert commentary and practical insights from industry leaders and professionals. The MSIA addresses pressing health topics and offering tangible solutions. Our goal is to spotlight challenges, bridge gaps, and uncover opportunities that enhance healthcare standards. Whether you're a professional within health service delivery or committed to staying abreast of best practices in Australia, join us for a deep dive into critical issues like AI, aged care, interoperability, primary health care tools and more. With real-life case studies, we demonstrate how cutting-edge technology is transforming healthcare, one solution at a time. This show is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dr Max Mollenkopf, Dr Michael Bonning, and Dr Nicole Sleeman at GP25, the annual conference for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) in Brisbane. The episode covers the changing landscape of general practice in Australia, with a focus on the involvement of private health insurers in primary care, recent bulk billing changes, the environmental impact of healthcare, and the role of artificial intelligence. This episode was recorded during GP25 in Brisbane, the largest national gathering dedicated to general practice, organised by RACGP. Key Takeaways 🌱 The increasing presence of private health insurers in primary care raises questions about patient outcomes, funding models, and the viability of independent clinics. 💸 Changes to bulk billing are shifting the financial landscape for GPs, with government policy aiming to relieve cost-of-living pressures for patients but introducing new considerations for clinic owners. 🌏 Healthcare contributes significantly to carbon emissions in Australia, and there are opportunities to decarbonise the sector by focusing on prevention, reducing low-value care, and adopting low-carbon options in clinical practice. 🤝 The general practice sector must define and advocate for its core strengths amidst disruption by corporate interests and technology, particularly the integration of AI in supporting clinical decision making. 🚦 Clinicians and clinic owners can take actionable steps, such as joining advocacy groups, reviewing care practices, and engaging in preventative health, to respond proactively to these sector changes. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 01:02 – Dr Max Mollenkopf 06:43 – Dr Michael Bonning 16:33 – Dr Nicole Sleeman Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet-ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information, visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dr Shane Black, Associate Professor Amina Tariq, and Professor Steven McPhail from the Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation (AusHSI) at Queensland University of Technology (QUT). The discussion covers the current wave of artificial intelligence in healthcare, exploring its real-world implementation, governance, workforce readiness, and how clinicians and technologists can collaborate effectively. The guests share their experience and perspectives on digital health transformation, the challenges of adopting new technologies, and the evolving role of AI in Australian healthcare. They also dive into practical examples of AI in action, from AI-powered scribes easing administrative burdens to tools that support clinical decision-making. The episode highlights the importance of human-centred design, adaptive governance, and building trust among clinicians and patients. Listeners will gain insight into how AI is being thoughtfully integrated into Australian healthcare, balancing innovation with safety, workforce needs, and patient outcomes. Key Takeaways ✨ AI adoption happens in waves, moving from hype to normalisation, requiring realistic expectations and robust capability building 🧠 Effective governance in healthcare doesn’t have to slow innovation; adaptive frameworks can support safe and agile implementation 💬 Human factors and real-world workflows are critical when designing and implementing healthcare technology solutions 🤝 Workforce readiness and co-design, embedding digital health concepts into clinical education and involving clinicians in design, leads to better outcomes ⚡ AI tools are increasingly seen as essential infrastructure, with growing clinician and patient comfort, but trust and ongoing usability remain crucial Timestamps 00:00 – Introductions and overview of panellist backgrounds 05:18 – Is the AI bubble in healthcare about to burst, or just mature? 07:59 – Differences in risk tolerance between tech and health, and how that affects adoption 10:33 – Sustainability and the risk of “serial piloters” in healthcare AI 13:22 – Sentiment toward AI in healthcare vs other industries 18:08 – How real-world workflows affect technology adoption 20:02 – Growing public and healthcare professional awareness and trust in AI tools 21:53 – Governance strategies and balancing safety with speed 25:22 – The need for responsive, risk-tiered governance frameworks 28:02 – AI’s place in healthcare: from a “bubble” to essential infrastructure 30:43 – Role of flexibility and user choice in AI adoption 32:03 – Trust, augmentation vs automation, and failed AI pilots 34:47 – Real use cases: AI scribes and clinician-patient interaction 36:34 – Building meaningful workforce readiness for AI 38:08 – Embedding digital health and AI literacy in clinical training 43:07 – Rethinking workforce composition to support technology adoption 44:23 – Closing remarks and further resources Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet-ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information, visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dan Wijeratne from Modern Innovations about the evolving landscape of billing and operational efficiency in Australian primary care clinics. They discuss the recent and upcoming changes to Medicare bulk billing incentives, the challenges faced by general practices in adapting to shifting business models, and how tools like MyGPMPtool are helping clinics manage chronic disease care more effectively. The conversation also explores the broader impact of technology on patient experience and clinic sustainability. Listeners will learn how digital tools can streamline workflows, reduce administrative burdens, and support coordinated chronic disease management, allowing practices to deliver higher-quality care while maintaining financial viability. The discussion highlights practical strategies for both bulk billing and mixed billing clinics to adapt to policy changes and remain resilient in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment. Key Takeaways 🔄 The shift between bulk billing and mixed billing models is having a significant impact on clinic operations, influenced by new Medicare incentives and changing patient demographics. 📝 Effective chronic disease management (CDM) relies heavily on operational efficiency and the adoption of digital tools to streamline care planning, eligibility tracking, and patient engagement. 👩‍⚕️ Clinics are facing challenges in workforce adaptation, particularly in redistributing CDM-related workflows between nurses and GPs as expectations and demands increase. ⏱️ Simple digital process improvements, such as removing paperwork and automating reminders, can result in substantial time and cost savings for clinics. 📈 Modern Innovations is developing new CRM and AI features within MyGPMPtool to further support practice efficiency, patient engagement, and care continuity, including upcoming modules for aged care and advanced patient segmentation. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction and overview of MyGPMP tool with Dan Wijeratne 00:00:43 – Differences between acute and chronic disease management in general practice 00:01:54 – Understanding Medicare item numbers and billing for CDM services 00:03:04 – Changes to CDM workflows post-1 July and impacts on GPs 00:05:22 – How technology addresses administrative burdens and inefficiencies in care planning 00:07:05 – Key features of MyGPMP tool and use of AI for workflow optimisation 00:08:44 – The benefits of streamlined CDM processes for patient outcomes 00:10:24 – Importance of collaborative, cloud-based solutions for multidisciplinary care 00:11:21 – Current priorities and opportunities for GPs in 2025, and market trends 00:13:30 – The future of healthcare technology, CRM systems, and patient engagement Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet-ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information, visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Ben Hurst, CEO of HotDoc, about evolving patient engagement, clinic efficiency, compliance burdens, and the future of hybrid healthcare delivery in Australia. The conversation explores how HotDoc supports GPs and medical centres with digital tools to automate administrative processes, balance regulatory changes, offer flexible work arrangements, and improve access to care for patients in an increasingly virtual environment. The discussion also highlights the growing pressures on general practice, including workforce shortages, rising patient demand, and competition from virtual-only providers and digital health apps. Listeners will gain insight into how clinics can leverage technology to streamline workflows, capture patient information more effectively, and deliver personalised care, all while supporting doctors in managing burnout and maintaining work-life balance. This episode offers practical perspectives for GPs, practice managers, and healthtech innovators looking to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of primary care. Key Takeaways 🩺 The burden of compliance and administrative changes, such as payroll regulations and MyMedicare requirements, creates significant process challenges for GP clinics. ⚙️ Automating tasks like recalls, reminders, and bulk-billing consent can improve efficiency and free up time for doctors to focus on clinical care. 🌐 The rise of virtual healthcare and online consults is changing patient expectations, with convenience and accessibility taking priority, leading clinics to adapt with solutions like asynchronous quick consults and telehealth on demand. 👨‍⚕️ Flexibility for doctors, including hybrid and virtual care models, is crucial to address burnout and ensure sustainable practice amid an impending GP shortage. 🔍 Capturing patient intent, matching them with specialised providers, and leveraging technology to serve up relevant information are opportunities for further innovation in patient care pathways. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and HotDoc’s mission 01:04 – 13 years of HotDoc and supporting GPs with administration 02:11 – Patient engagement and streamlining workflows 03:32 – Compliance challenges: MyMedicare, assignment of benefit 04:38 – GP clinic operations and shifting processes 06:00 – Impact of regulatory changes on clinic efficiency 08:00 – Competition from virtual providers and patient expectations 10:03 – Quick consults, asynchronous care, and responding to convenience demands 14:05 – GP workforce shortages, burnout, and capacity challenges 16:42 – Flexibility in GP work patterns and reducing burnout 18:53 – Benefits of virtual care for information capture 20:08 – Personalised intent-based patient matching and technology’s role 24:06 – Clinics’ priorities for 2025: automation, differentiation, sub-specialisation, and hybrid-care models 27:47 – Closing thoughts and future priorities for HotDoc Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet-ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information, visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with a line-up of innovators, founders and CEOs participating in the ANDHealth Digital and Connected Health Commercialisation Showcase and the ANDHealth Plus Programme. Recorded at the event in Canberra, this episode highlights successes from Australian digital health companies and explores topics surrounding commercialisation, global expansion, regulatory hurdles, funding models, and lessons learned from building scalable healthtech solutions. This episode was recorded at the ANDHealth Digital and Connected Health Commercialisation Showcase in Canberra, celebrating milestone achievements for the participant companies in the ANDHealth Plus Programme, as well as the 10th anniversary of the Medical Research Future Fund. Key Takeaways 🎤 The importance of collaboration and building global networks for healthtech commercialisation. 🚀 Scaling digital health innovations internationally requires adapting to local markets and understanding cultural nuances. 💡 Knowing your funding, payment, and commercialisation models is crucial for successfully bringing products to market. 🧑‍⚕️ Listening to clinicians and end-users, rather than presuming their needs, drives effective product uptake. 🛠 Regulatory approval, such as TGA registrations and clinical validation, remain significant steps for healthtech companies. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and event background: ANDHealth Plus Programme and MRFF anniversary 00:30 – Sanji Kanaglingam on WeGuide’s expansion, scalability, and digital biomarkers 03:08 – Simon Green discusses Immunosis, diagnostics for immune deficiency, and commercialisation 06:31 – Carolyn Mee from Soundscouts: Funding, regulatory milestones, and sector expansion 10:42 – Tina Campbell on Healthily’s approach to patient education and voice AI for engagement 15:16 – Arthur Holbrook explains Humanetics’ clinical decision support and lessons from aged care 19:07 – Dr James Waldie of Cape Bionics: Translating space sciences into compression garments 24:24 – John Wright shares about Metabolic Health Solutions: Device-to-software integration and market focus 27:22 – Fiona Hammond - Perx Health provides updates on Perx Health’s gamification tech and cognitive decline solutions 30:30 – Bronwyn Le Grice - CEO, ANDHealth on commercialisation, digital health sector growth, and ecosystem priorities 34:03 – Episode wrap up and call to action Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet-ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dr Raymond Wen, Chief Growth Officer and Medical Director for Primary Care Services at Telecare Australia, about the evolution of telehealth, challenges in delivering virtual care, and Telecare's unique approach to technology-enabled healthcare service delivery. Check this episode out to gain insights into how virtual care is transforming access for rural and regional communities, from mental health support to specialist consultations. The conversation explores practical strategies for workforce flexibility, process automation, and co-designed service models, showing how Telecare combines clinical expertise and innovative technology to improve safety, efficiency, and patient outcomes across Australia. Key Takeaways 🌏 Telehealth in Australia addresses the challenges of providing quality specialist care to rural and remote populations, leveraging virtual consultations and remote technology. 🩺 Around 30–50% of clinical scenarios can be safely and effectively managed through telehealth, increasing access without compromising care quality. 🔗 Co-designing new models of virtual care with stakeholders enables healthcare organisations to balance risk, optimise workflows, and support community needs when traditional service provision is under strain. 💻 Telecare developed its own technology solutions, including a mobile native e-script platform and healthcare process automation tools, to solve practical issues in care delivery and staff optimisation. 💡 The future of virtual care involves continued innovation in automation and integration, focusing first on solving “boring” admin and engagement challenges before fully harnessing AI potential. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction and overview of Telecare’s background 02:33 – Telecare's role and services in Australian healthcare 04:40 – The impact and evolution of telehealth for rural communities 06:14 – Types of care best suited for telehealth and what Telecare does 10:41 – Risk assessment and co-design in developing new care models 13:23 – Building technology versus using market solutions; motivations and outcomes 17:35 – Service enablement, process automation, and operational efficiency 20:23 – Telecare’s acquisition by Teladoc and implications for future growth 22:14 – The future of telehealth/virtual care and the role of AI 24:43 – Final thoughts and episode wrap-up Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet-ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information, visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Josh Ayscough, Utiliti Group Partner, about investment in healthtech, navigating innovation in healthcare, and the different approaches to scaling health technology businesses in Australia and globally. They explore Josh Ayscough's background, the investment focus at Utiliti Group, and how founders can effectively pitch their healthtech solutions to investors and customers. The conversation also delves into the shift towards consumer-centric healthcare, the practical applications of AI, and the importance of building interdisciplinary teams. Listeners will gain insight into the challenges of funding, regulation, and scaling in the Australian health tech ecosystem, as well as strategies for forming partnerships and driving meaningful impact. This episode offers a comprehensive look at what it takes to innovate and succeed in a complex, evolving industry. Key Takeaways 🧑‍💼 Founder-market fit is critical: Investors look for founders who deeply understand the problem they’re solving, ideally with sector experience or a strong advisory board. 💸 Demonstrating clear patient or sector benefit is a priority for healthtech investors, not just the commercial proposition. 🌏 Australia’s healthtech ecosystem is strong but highly regulated, compared to the “guardrails-off” landscape in markets like the US. 🤖 AI isn’t mandatory for healthtech success, but founders need to articulate their position on AI and its relevance for their solution. 🔗 Early-stage healthtech solutions should nail a core problem first, then build strategic partnerships to enhance growth, scaling globally is not always necessary, and local impact can also be a meaningful goal. Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dr Greg McDavitt, physician executive and director of healthcare industry strategy at ServiceNow, and Andrew Dome, Chief Digital Information Officer at Uniting New South Wales Act, about the "hidden tax" on healthcare. The discussion examines the non-financial burdens that affect efficiency and patient care, and how technology can help reduce administrative overhead. It also looks at the emerging role of artificial intelligence in streamlining workflows across healthcare organisations. The episode explores the practical challenges facing care providers and examines how technology can improve outcomes for both staff and patients. Key Takeaways 🚀 The "hidden tax" in healthcare refers to the unrecognised administrative tasks that consume clinicians’ and care workers’ time, impacting their ability to focus on direct patient care. 📱 Leveraging mobile tools and voice-to-text technology can save valuable minutes per day for frontline staff, enhancing both efficiency and quality of care. 🤖 Technology is not always the solution; digitising poor processes can create more friction, but AI and better-designed systems hold the promise of fundamentally changing or removing burdensome workflows. 🧑‍💼 A successful tech transition requires buy-in across all levels, from frontline workers to boards, and must be business-driven rather than solely led by IT. 🔄 The adoption and role of artificial intelligence in healthcare is evolving rapidly; organisations must continuously review use cases, ethical boundaries, and investment rationale to harness AI effectively and responsibly. Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Jason Ward, co-founder and CEO of EQL, about the evolution of digital health in musculoskeletal (MSK) care across Australia and the UK. Jason discusses the story behind founding EQL and the factors that shaped its approach to digital MSK care. He also examines the different funding and access challenges faced in Australia and the UK, highlighting how local healthcare structures influence the delivery of care. Key Takeaways 💡 EQL uses technology to empower patients and clinicians, enhancing access to MSK care through digital triage and rehabilitation pathways. 🌏 Differences between the UK and Australian healthcare systems, including funding models, rural access issues, and workers’ compensation, shape how digital MSK solutions are deployed. 📊 Demonstrating return on investment (ROI) is central to EQL’s model, evidenced by recent pilots in Australia that delivered a 14:1 ROI for employers and insurance partners. 🤝 EQL works both with in-house clinicians and partner organisations, delivering care via digital, in-person, and hybrid pathways to meet diverse workplace and population needs. 🔮 The future of digital MSK care involves careful adoption of AI and scaled technology, with a focus on safety, sustainability, and equitable access, especially in remote or underserved communities. Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet-ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Mecaela Couper, specialist solution consultant for healthcare, Colby Rook, senior account executive for healthcare, and Dr Greg McDavitt, physician executive and director for healthcare, all from ServiceNow. The discussion covers the role of artificial intelligence and technology in reducing administrative burden for clinicians, improving patient outcomes, and optimising workflows within the healthcare sector. The episode explores the intersection of digital transformation and the unique human elements that are central to effective healthcare delivery, based on insights from both clinical and technology backgrounds. Key Takeaways 💡 The critical importance of freeing clinicians from administrative tasks to allow more time for patient care and improving outcomes. 🖥️ Effective digital transformation in healthcare is often "invisible" to the patient, improving systems and processes behind the scenes rather than at the point of care. 🤝 Co-designing technology solutions with frontline clinicians and gathering feedback ensures tools are genuinely useful and easy to adopt in practice. 🔒 Implementing strong governance and risk management around AI tools is vital, including controlling access and monitoring data privacy. 🔄 Transformation efforts should be holistic, considering impacts across the whole healthcare ecosystem, from frontline staff to back-office operations and the broader continuum of care. Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dr Ramya Raman, Rafiah Ansari, Andrew Aho, and Farhoud Salimi about the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in digital health. Topics covered include clinical governance, digital health ethics, women’s health data, interoperability, AI, connected care, and the importance of partnerships across healthcare and technology. This episode was recorded during HIC 2025, hosted by the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH) in Melbourne. It features conversations captured in the Digital Health Studio throughout the event, covering panels, keynotes, and interview sessions with innovators and leaders from across the healthcare technology space. Key Takeaways ✨ Clinical governance, ethics, and research translation are critical for driving sustainable digital health innovation 🌏 Global perspectives (UK, Canada, US) offer lessons for local implementations in Australia 🧑‍⚕️ Women’s health data has historical biases; femtech and digital health can help address gaps for diverse populations 🔗 Connected care depends on interoperability, collaboration, and data standards to support clinicians and improve patient outcomes 🤖 Artificial intelligence and unified data platforms are expanding capabilities but require strong privacy, governance, and clinician involvement Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet-ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information, visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Steve Lewis, founder of Nabu, about his personal journey into health tech, the creation of Nabu, and the challenges of coordinating complex healthcare for patients with special needs. Steve shares how his own experiences caring for his daughter Bowie inspired him to develop tools that help patients, families, and support workers better manage the demands of the healthcare system. They cover the realities of patient navigation, the role of digital tools in improving outcomes, and the importance of human collaboration alongside technology. Key Takeaways 🧩 Lived experience shapes innovation: Steve’s journey as a parent navigating paediatric and intensive care environments drove the creation of Nabu, aiming to bridge gaps he faced first-hand in the healthcare system. 📲 Practical patient empowerment: Nabu focuses on helping patients and families easily coordinate appointments, medications, and care plans without overwhelming them or relying solely on electronic health records. 🔄 Communication and collaboration matter: The app streamlines sharing critical information with family members, support workers, and professionals, reducing the risks of missed details and improving overall continuity of care. 🛡️ Safety in support: Features verifying support worker credentials and making handovers simpler are emphasised to mitigate risks for vulnerable patients. 🌏 Piloting for impact: The next steps for Nabu involves coordinated pilot programs with providers in Australia and overseas, to quantify its effect on health outcomes and demonstrate support for patients, families, and clinicians. Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Charles Papp (Founder and CEO, KRE8 IT and KRE8 My Health) and Steven Whittington (allied health consultant and co-founder, KRE8 My Health) about interoperability in healthcare. The discussion covers the challenges of connecting fragmented health data, the role of FHIR standards, their journey forming KRE8 My Health, and practical examples of how better data exchange can improve outcomes for clinicians and patients. The episode explores recent developments such as Smart Health Link and Australian Patient Summary standards, as well as how managed services can bridge the gap between legacy systems and modern interoperability requirements. Key Takeaways 🩺 Interoperability remains a major challenge in healthcare, with legacy systems and inconsistent data standards making it difficult to exchange information effectively. 🖥️ FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) and new standards like Smart Health Link are helping enable secure, standardised sharing of patient summaries and health data between systems and individuals. 🔗 Managed interoperability services can allow software vendors and startups to achieve compliance and connectivity without becoming experts in complex health data standards. 👩‍⚕️ Improved interoperability empowers both clinicians and patients to access and share medical information, boosting health literacy and supporting safer, more timely care. 📱 Tools like Smart Health Exchange allow sharing of health records via encrypted links or QR codes, making data accessible even for those without advanced IT systems. Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dr Simon Kos, Chief Clinical Officer for ANZ at Microsoft; Georgia James, Director for VicKey Statewide CRM at Austin Health; and Alan Pritchard, Director of EMR and ICT Services at Austin Health. The conversation covers the development and rollout of a statewide Microsoft Dynamics-based CRM for health services in Victoria, with a focus on digital referral management, patient communication, automation, and the use of AI in improving health system processes and outcomes. Key Takeaways 🏥 The Victorian Statewide CRM project, based on Microsoft Dynamics, began as a solution to surgical audit and patient communication challenges at Austin Health. It has since expanded, now supporting referral management and inter-hospital transfer processes across metropolitan and regional health services in Victoria. 📋 Managing healthcare referrals is typically a complex, paper-driven and inefficient process. The new digital referral management system standardises and digitises this workflow, improving efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring timely patient care. 🤝 The importance of co-design and collaboration between health services, IT teams, and clinicians was highlighted. Rollouts involved extensive workshops and change management, with an emphasis on capturing the "80%" common process across services while allowing flexibility for local variation. 🤖 AI is being explored to support and augment referral processes, such as classifying incoming documents, summarising referral content, and identifying hidden health issues within referrals. The approach ensures clinical oversight and gradual adoption for trust and safety. 🔗 The system is designed to promote federated innovation—allowing a collaborative framework where new features can be rolled out at scale and shared across services, rather than every service building in isolation. 📊 Leveraging enterprise data and digitising previously manual or paper-based MVPs (like post-it note reminders or spreadsheets) enables ongoing process improvement and scalable healthcare innovation. ⚖️ Equity considerations were also discussed: digital solutions need to be accessible, especially for vulnerable populations, to avoid widening the digital divide in healthcare. Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Declan Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Eolas Medical, about the challenges and opportunities in healthcare knowledge management. They explore how clinicians can better access both external medical evidence and context-specific internal knowledge, the importance of technology in surfacing reliable information at the point of care, and the emerging role of artificial intelligence in supporting decision making in healthcare environments. Key Takeaways: 📚 Knowledge Management in Healthcare: Declan explains that clinicians need access to both external, evidence-based guidelines and internal, site-specific procedures to make informed decisions. Both are often difficult to surface when needed, leading to inefficiency and frustration. 💡 Origin of Eolas Medical: The platform was created out of a real need identified within hospitals—difficulty in finding practical information quickly, particularly context-specific pathways and contacts. "Eolas" is derived from the Irish word for knowledge. 🤖 Technology and Extraction: Eolas uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to extract and visually ground information from both internal documents (like policies and flowcharts buried on intranets) and external sources, ensuring that clinicians can trace answers to their original sources. 🔒 AI's Role and Safety Considerations: Artificial intelligence, especially large language models, can support information retrieval but must be carefully governed, regulated, and validated for safety and trust. The adoption of such solutions varies globally due to differing regulatory environments. ⚖️ Balancing Usability and Governance: Declan shares the tension between making technology user-friendly for clinicians and maintaining rigorous governance, security, and privacy—finding the right balance is ongoing and vital for uptake. 📈 Adoption and Impact: Eolas has seen significant uptake among clinicians by addressing their need for immediate, trustworthy, actionable information at the point of care. The company emphasises a careful, department-by-department rollout in healthcare organisations to build evidence and trust. 🚀 Future Directions: The conversation touches on the broad future of healthcare technology, speculating about the combined power of AI, knowledge management, and system interoperability over the next decades. Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level?Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Claire Holt, Technical Health Information Manager at Austin Health, about the role of data management and digital health transformation in tertiary hospitals. The discussion focuses on the integration of new data capture solutions within Austin Health, with a special emphasis on the challenges and opportunities surrounding legacy systems, workflow transformation, stakeholder engagement, and mandatory reporting. This episode was recorded live at HIC 2025 in Melbourne, Australia, at the Data Capture Experts booth on the expo floor. Key Takeaways: 🏥 Austin Health's Digital Landscape: With over 200 clinical systems, Austin Health's approach to technology must consider integration, interoperability, and minimising workflow disruption for clinicians. 🔗 The Role of Health Information Managers: Health information managers bridge the gap between IT, clinical operations, and data reporting, ensuring legislative compliance and meaningful use of collected data. ⚙️ Addressing Legacy System Challenges: Facing an end-of-life legacy software system that processed over 120,000 annual client contacts, Austin Health identified the need for a modern solution that could expand functionality and support broader use cases. 🚀 Implementation and Change Management: Accelerated timelines and the addition of new modules – such as community mental health – required robust collaboration, business process engagement, and agile change management strategies. 💻 Data Capture Experts Solution: Streamlined administrative functions allowed for improved referral, appointment booking, care management, and reporting – moving away from siloed spreadsheets towards integrated workflows. 📊 Workflow Evolution: The new system enabled better visibility across teams, accurate activity reporting, and improved patient care continuity, especially for patients accessing multiple services. 🤝 Advice for Vendors: Collaborative approaches with health information managers and strong technical-business translation are essential when building and implementing solutions in health settings. Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website. Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with someone who might get some value from it. Keen to take your healthtech to the next level? Become a THT+ Member for access to our online community forum, meet ups, special offers and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus