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.

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In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with technology consultant, Dr Shane Black, and 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 Shih explains Humanetix’s 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