Talking HealthTech

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Ian Burgess, CEO of the Medical Technology Association of Australia (MTAA). They delve into the complexities and opportunities within the medtech industry, discussing its growth, challenges, and the upcoming MTAA conference. The conversation covers a wide range of topics including regulatory barriers, digital health, innovation, and the sustainability of Australia's healthcare system.To learn more and register for the MTAA Medtech Conference 2024 in Sydney visit here: https://www.mtaa.org.au/medtech-conferenceKey Takeaways:Understanding Medtech: Ian Burgess explains the broad scope of medical technology, from simple devices like tongue depressors to advanced digital medtech, emphasizing the integration of digital health into the ecosystem.Industry Challenges: The discussion highlights challenges such as regulatory barriers, data governance, and the need for improved reimbursement pathways for digital medtech.Healthcare System: Australia boast

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch is joined by Dr Angus Ritchie and Dr Andrew Wilson from Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) to explore the intricate ways technology, particularly advanced clinical documentation systems like Dragon Medical One, is utilised to alleviate the pressures of rising healthcare demands. Angus and Andrew offer insights from both strategic and frontline perspectives, discussing the challenges faced by SLHD's innovative solutions being implemented and what the future holds for digital health.Key Takeaways:Tech-Driven Efficiency: Digital technology plays a critical role in reducing staff burnout and meeting rising healthcare demands without compromising care quality.Dragon Medical One: Dragon Medical One is a cloud-based speech recognition tool that has dramatically improved clinical documentation efficiency during the COVID pandemic.Mental Health Focus: Speech recognition has positively impacted the mental health sector by providing more contemporaneous, detailed,

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch is joined by A/Prof Vikram Palit, Dr Phil Tong, and Rosie Wilson to discuss the changing landscape of healthcare information and access in Australia. They explore the effectiveness of Consultmed’s Advice & Guidance capability in facilitating specialist care, reducing unnecessary hospital visits, and providing educational value for GPs.Rosie also shares her personal challenges within the healthcare system and the potential benefits of efficient referral processes.Key TakeawaysSystem Deficiencies: There is a concerning trend of patients resorting to alternative means of obtaining healthcare information due to the limitations of the current system.Specialist Access Improvement:  Rosie shares her perspective as a patient, emphasising the critical need for timely specialist access and efficient GP-sourced specialist advice.Advice & Guidance:  This innovative platform enables quicker specialist consultations, educates GPs, and can significant

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Linden Bungey and Desleigh Smith from Ocean Health Systems about their innovative contributions to digital health. Recorded during HIC 2024, the conversation explores Ocean Health Systems' products, their applications in infection control and staff health, and the importance of data-driven decision-making in healthcare settings.Key TakeawaysOcean Health Systems has been in the digital health space for 25 years and is now focusing on new and innovative products.The company uses openEHR standards to develop archetypes and templates that simplify the interface between clinicians and developers.Products like Multiprac are helping healthcare facilities improve infection control by streamlining data entry and providing real-time analytics.Immunise aims to streamline staff health and vaccination records, improving workplace health and safety.- Ocean Health Systems plans to expand its reach globally and collaborate with industry partners to integrate

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, we speak with Tim Boyle, CEO of ARCS Australia; Annree Wogan, Co-founder of ADORA Coaching & Leadership; Nick Northcott, Founder of Chrysalis Advisory; Guy Tsafnat, Founder of Evidentli; Stefan Mazy, CEO of DermR Health Solutions; and Matt Dun, Professor of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology Research at the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute. This episode was recorded at the ARCS Annual Conference 2024 and explored various topics such as leadership development, the convergence of medical technologies, data harmonisation using AI, innovative healthcare solutions, patient engagement, and the professional growth of the medtech and pharmaceutical sectors.Key TakeawaysLeadership Development and Team Performance: The significance of developing leadership and collaboration skills within executive teams is discussed, focusing on the Maximising Team Performance framework.Innovative Medical Devices: Insights are shared into developing a next-generat

This special bonus episode of Talking HealthTech is a recent episode from one of the shows in the THT Podcast Network - The Good GP. Subscribe to their show below:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-good-gp/id1212751478Spotify: https://spotify.com/show/5Rw9eohsYjvMFKKyMWMKl6────────In this episode of The Good GP, hosts Dr Tim Koh and Dr Sean Stevens speak with Geoffrey Sayer, CEO of Medtech, at the Digital Health Festival 2024. Geoffrey introduces Medtech, an electronic health record system designed to service practices in Australia and New Zealand, providing a comprehensive patient practice management system (PMS).Beginning with an overview of Medtech's capabilities and its market presence. Geoffrey highlights the importance of having a flexible and future-proof PMS that allows for customization and integration with other software applications adaptable to the diverse needs of general practices.Geoffrey explains the concept of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and their role in

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Sophie Turner speaks with Khika Withnell, Mariah Amjad, and Dr Megan Young from Women's Health Road about their approaches to women's health care, the integration of technology, and patient education. They discuss the clinic's mission, the importance of interoperability in health care, and how AI tools transform patient interactions. Key Takeaways:The team elaborates on Women's Health Road's comprehensive and compassionate health care model, which includes the Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Hub.The role of AI, specifically the AI scribe called Heidi, is covered extensively. It assists in reducing administrative burdens, thus improving patient-clinician interactions.Patient education and advocacy are critical themes, with initiatives like the Bleed Better campaign aiming to raise awareness about heavy menstrual bleeding.Discussions included insights into future projects and how Women's Health Road plans to improve patient pathways through technology and personalised educa

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Lara Spence, Founder and Managing Director of Digivate Health, and Lindsey Gough, a veteran of the public health system and Executive Advisor at Digivate Health. They dive into the design of new healthcare facilities and the necessity for innovative models in care delivery. The conversation explores the successful integration of virtual healthcare services, the critical role of seamless technology in healthcare, and the need for rigorous evaluation of digital health investments. They also highlight the importance of digital health strategies, particularly for remote communities, and discuss the necessity of sustainable partnerships and digital maturity assessments.Key Takeaways:

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch is joined by Kate Ebrill, Interoperability Lead at AEHRC CSIRO and National Lead at Sparked FHIR Accelerator, alongside Danielle Bancroft, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Best Practice Software. The conversation dives deep into the world of healthcare interoperability.They explore the vital need for seamless data exchange within healthcare systems, the community-driven approach of Sparked, Australia’s national FHIR accelerator, and the exciting prospects for healthcare data exchange. They discuss the critical role of FHIR standards and how they're being adapted and implemented in Australia to improve clinical workflows, enhance patient care, and fuel innovation in healthcare.Key TakeawaysImportance of Interoperability: Seamless data exchange in healthcare systems is crucial for efficient and effective patient care. Interoperability ensures that information is shared without manipulation or additional effort.Incremental Improvements: Instead of ai

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Pete hosts The Beat podcast at HLTH Europe 2024 in Amsterdam.In this episode of Talking HealthTech, here a handful of the conversations recorded for The Beat, including Paula Bellostas Muguerza, Senior Partner and Global Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice Leader at Kearney, Rowland Illing, Chief Medical Officer at AWS, and Richard Stubbs, Chair of the Health Innovation Network and Chief Executive of Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber. In these discussions, explore the intricacies of building healthcare solutions, focusing on health equity, the transformative power of digital pathways, and the critical role of innovation and collaboration in advancing healthcare.  Key TakeawaysHealth Equity and Diverse Populations: Building healthcare solutions must prioritise health equity, particularly for communities of need and diverse demographics. Innovators must ensure AI solutions are built without inherent biases and put patients at the centre.Digital Pa

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch sits down with Nick White, Chief Marketing Officer at Alcidion, to explore the benefits of implementing modern patient flow systems in healthcare. Nick discusses the recent independent study at Alfred Health that highlights the positive impact of electronic patient journey boards on clinical workflows, bed allocation, discharge planning, and overall patient care. With his extensive healthcare tech and marketing background, Nick shares insights on how Alcidion transforms patient flow management through innovative solutions like Miya Precision.Key Takeaways:Enhanced Efficiency in Bed Allocation: The study showed a 67% reduction in call duration for bed allocation, thanks to Alcidion's Miya Precision platform. This freed up clinicians’ time and resources, making bed management more efficient.Reduction in Outliers: There was a significant 17.7% decline in patients being admitted to incorrect wards, improving patient care quality and reducing the length of st

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch is joined by Sarah-Jane Anker, Director and Founder of Anker Alliance. With a rich background in medical devices and pharmaceuticals, Sarah-Jane dives into the pivotal role of consulting services for healthcare start-ups and scale-ups. The discussion covers everything from strategic partnerships to navigating complex regulations and building robust investor relations. Sarah-Jane also shares success stories and offers insights on the future of healthcare innovation, making this a must-listen for anyone in the MedTech space.Key Takeaways:The Role of Anker Alliance: Anker Alliance specialises in bridging the gap between start-ups and established businesses in the MedTech and healthcare sectors.Importance of Consulting in Healthcare: Consulting services are crucial for healthcare start-ups to navigate regulatory challenges and execute market strategies effectively.Strategic Partnerships: Forming alliances with more prominent companies can help start-ups slip

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch chats with Dr Rob Pearlman, founder of MedApps, at the Digital Health Festival 2024. They explore the MedApp platform, which enhances orientation and onboarding for hospital staff, especially junior doctors and nurses. Dr Pearlman shares insights about the MedApps evolution, its impact on healthcare settings, and his dual role as a clinician and developer.Key Takeaways:MedApp Overview:  MedApp improves orientation and onboarding for hospital staff, aiming to boost engagement and retention.Integration and Scalability: The platform is adaptable and has been successfully integrated across various hospital departments, showcasing its scalability. With a strong focus on user feedback, MedApp continually evolves to meet its users’ needs.Real-World Implementation: MedApp has been successfully implemented in emergency departments and regional hospitals, saving time and improving staff retention.Loving the show? Leave us a review, and share it with some

This special bonus episode of Talking HealthTech is a recent episode from one of the shows in the THT Podcast Network - Frank and Fearless by ANDHealth. Subscribe to their show below:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/frank-and-fearless-by-andhealth/id1724711269Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Amrj4axcU9gwCl7AsS2vj?si=5b53150b3e4b4770────────Welcome to the Frank and Fearless podcast, where we join brilliant individuals pushing the boundaries of science, health, and innovation.In this episode, hosted by Bronwyn Le Grice, we're excited to spotlight Andrew Murphy, a driving force behind Ireland's startup and entrepreneurial community and nominee for Entrepreneur of the Year 2014.Andrew is a Partner at Erisbeg I LP and an active seed investor through his own firm, Merleview. With a background in Chemical Engineering, his journey into entrepreneurship began in 2006 when he founded Slainte Healthcare. From humble beginnings, Slainte evolved into two successful entities: Claimsure, a p

In this special episode of Talking HealthTech, dive into the vibrant discussions held during the Digital Health Festival 2024 in Melbourne, Australia with a fantastic lineup of guests: Mani Sahihi, Company Director & COO, Foxo; Dr Talat Uppal, Director, Women’s Health Road; Nathan Moore, CEO, Frameless Interactive; Angela Ryan, Lead Healthcare Executive, JAPAC, Oracle Health; Dr Sean Stevens, General Practitioner / Clinic Owner & Director, Grove Medical; Kara Renee Burns, Digital Health Program Manager: Centre for Digital Transformation of Health, University of Melbourne; and Amanda Bury, Chief Commercial Officer, Infermedica. The episode features key insights into the intersection of healthcare and technology, from AI innovations and telemedicine to women's health and digital health equity.Key Takeaways:Collaboration in healthcare technology: There is a wealth of resources available for connecting and innovating within the health tech field, emphasising the value of leveraging these networks for succ

This special bonus episode of Talking HealthTech is a recent episode from one of the shows in the THT Podcast Network - Creative Careers in Medicine. Subscribe to their show below:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/creative-careers-in-medicine-podcast/id1457313295Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0STg3XBXQ90UdwBTeyrM4U?si=wATN80LtSL-dbJUTvUFtNA&nd=1&dlsi=60851d81c3cc44ae------In this episode of Creative Careers in Medicine podcast, host Dr Elise Putt engages in an enlightening conversation with Dr Anni Mekhail, an intensive care doctor turned Google product manager. Dr Mekhail has an impressive background, having been a founding member of two successful bootstrapped health tech startups and co-authoring medical textbooks and articles in medical journals. She initially trained in New Zealand, then moved to the UK to work in the NHS, and now resides in Australia.Dr Mekhail discusses her current role at Google, where she is a product manager on the identity team, working on big d

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch speaks with Chris Lucas, the VP for Digital Care Records at Orion Health. Recorded during the Digital Health Festival 2024, Pete and Chris dive deep into the world of digital care records, health information exchanges (HIEs), and the global landscape of shared care records. They discuss the evolution and significance of digital care records, the challenges and solutions regarding clinician access to data, and the innovative use of AI and machine learning in healthcare.Key TakeawaysGlobal Presence and Innovation: Orion Health has a significant global presence, and Chris provides insights into various health economies, including Canada, the UK, and Saudi Arabia. These regions have made strides in creating and managing comprehensive digital care records to improve patient care.Health Information Exchanges (HIE): HIEs can centralize patient data from disparate hospital systems, primary care, and community health services, enabling better coordination an

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, host Peter Birch explore funding for health technology in the realm of dementia and cognitive decline. Pete is joined by Dr Kaele Stokes - Executive Director Services, Advocacy and Research at Dementia Australia; Dr Amanda Vrselja - Program Head of CUREator at Brandon Capital; and Kim Smyth - GM Investment at ANDHealth. In this episode they unpack the new CUREator+ program, which offers up to $50 million in funding to accelerate research translation and commercialisation in dementia care. They touch on the importance of this funding, the key challenges facing dementia care, and the innovative solutions that are being developed to address these issues.Key Takeaways:Funding Opportunities: The CUREator+ program offers up to $50 million, with individual grants of up to $5 million, aimed at SMEs and researchers who can provide innovative solutions in areas such as digital health, therapeutics, diagnostics, assistive technology, or medical devices.Dementia's Impact:

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Hanya Oversby and Jason Borody, the Co-Founders of Doceo Health, recorded live from the Digital Health Festival 2024. They discuss Doceo Health's innovative membership platform, which is designed to streamline and support business activities for healthcare practices. Hanya and Jason discuss their backgrounds, share their insights on the current challenges within the healthcare industry, and explore how their platform bridges the gap between clinical practice and effective business management.Key TakeawaysBusiness Support for Clinicians: Doceo Health offers a platform that provides healthcare professionals access to essential business services, educational resources, and vetted advisors, helping them navigate the complexities of running a practice.Holistic Approach: The platform covers a range of needs from marketing and patient acquisition to compliance and financial planning, ensuring practitioners can focus on providing care without worrying abo

This episode of Talking HealthTech features a conversation taken during a recent live webinar with Chris Royle and Stephen Burmester from Dedalus.  We explore interoperability and cybersecurity in healthcare, reflecting on the balance between open standards and security, the implications of recent data breaches, and the future of healthcare technology.Key TakeawaysImportance of Open Standards: Leveraging open standards like HL7 FHIR can foster innovation and reduce costs in healthcare systems.Cybersecurity Challenges: The cybersecurity risks associated with more open system brings the need for robust security measures to protect sensitive health data.National Health Interoperability Plan: How the 2023-2028 plan addresses interoperability alongside cybersecurity concerns, aiming to enhance patient care while securing data.Role of Technology in Healthcare: The potential of technology in healthcare, especially regarding data integration and patient access.Check out the episode and full show notes on th