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Talking HealthTech

Talking HealthTech

Discussions with doctors, developers and decision-makers in Australian HealthTech

456 – Implementing the national digital health strategy

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:🚀 Innovative Facility Design: Emphasising the inclusion of virtual care models based on their pandemic success.🚄 Seamless Technology: Technology should function effortlessly, much like public transport.🔧 Maximising Tech Benefits: Start by identifying problems, evaluating solutions, and addressing workforce pressures.📊 National Digital Health Strategy: The strategy requires practical steps and measuring progress for effective implementation.🌐 Remote and Equitable Care: Highlighting the need for equitable healthcare access in remote areas through virtual care models.🐢 Slow Tech Adoption: Addressing barriers to tech adoption and focusing on opportunities in remote patient monitoring and alternative care models.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
July 25, 2024

455 – Practical Steps to Healthcare Interoperability: Conversations with Sparked FHIR Experts

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 aiming for a perfect system from scratch, the focus should be practical, incremental enhancements in healthcare data exchange.Community-Driven Approach: Sparked operates with a bottom-up community-driven process involving over 600 people and is backed by government and health agencies, aiming to localise international FHIR standards for use within Australia.Design Groups: The process of developing FHIR standards involves design groups, including a clinical design group with over 400 participants focused on identifying core information for exchange and a technical design group to implement these using the FHIR standard.Focus on Key Use Cases: The emphasis is on essential use cases like bulk uploads and patient summaries to demonstrate the practical benefits of FHIR standards.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
July 22, 2024

454 – HLTH Europe 2024

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 Pathways: Embracing digital pathways can optimise resources, allowing more face-to-face care for those requiring it. However, it’s crucial to recognise that healthcare solutions are not one-size-fits-all.Role of the Health Innovation Network: The network plays a pivotal role in navigating the NHS and translating innovative ideas into real-life healthcare solutions, emphasising collaboration across various sectors.Cloud Technology in Healthcare: There is an obvious shift towards cloud technology, providing enhanced security, resilience, and high-performance computing to healthcare providers while supporting both large organisations and startups.Addressing Gender Inequity in Healthcare: There are systemic challenges in women's health, including delays in diagnosis and lack of investment. change is needed in five key areas: reproductive health, brain health, heart health, autoimmune disease, and cancer.Collaborative Innovation: Success in healthcare innovation hinges on collaborative efforts among regulators, policymakers, pharma companies, innovators, academia, and the public, focusing on resolving issues in both developed and lower middle-income countries.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
July 18, 2024

453 – Ripple Effect of Patient Flow in Healthcare: An Independent Study on The Benefits of Miya Flow, Alcidion

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 stay.Real-Time Patient Information: Access to up-to-date patient data has eliminated discrepancies that previously existed between different data sources, enhancing patient safety and care.Improved Discharge Planning: The study highlighted the positive impact of mandatory Estimated Date of Discharge (EDD) entries, which have improved predictive analytics and bed availability planning.Consistency in Workflow: Before Miya Precision, the healthcare facility faced 30 different workflow variations. This number was reduced to 9, allowing staff to move between wards more effectively and maintain consistent care levels.Shorter Length of Stay: A 12.1% reduction in patient length of stay was observed, reflecting the overall enhanced efficiency in the system.Future Technological Advancements: Potential for AI and advanced predictive analytics to further enhance patient flow and bed management.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
July 15, 2024

452 – Navigating Innovations in Healthcare: Supporting Start-ups and Scale-ups Towards Market Success. Sarah-Jane Anker, Anker Alliance

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 slipstream into new markets more efficiently. These partnerships often result in cost savings, faster market entry, and the ability to scale globally.Investor Relations and PR: Effectively communicating the value proposition is key to attracting investments and building brand awareness. Challenges and Opportunities in Healthcare: Regulatory complexities and post-COVID shifts are significant hurdles—however, advancements in AI, diagnostics, and preventative healthcare present exciting opportunities for innovation.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
July 11, 2024

451 – Improving Clinician Engagement and Clinical Care. Dr Rob Pearlman, MedApps

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 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, meetups, special offers, and more exclusive content. For more information visit talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus
July 8, 2024

BONUS EPISODE: Frank and Fearless by ANDHealth: Andrew Murphy on Healthcare Startups: Robust Strategies and Market Adaptation

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 pivotal platform for Revenue Cycle Management in Ireland's Health System, and Vitro Software, an electronic medical record platform that achieved international scaling.But Andrew's impact doesn't stop there. He's been a catalyst for international growth, having co-founded Robotify Labs, acquired by Imagine Learning in 2021, and guiding numerous ventures to scale internationally.Beyond this, Andrew mentors entrepreneurs and CEOs, fostering growth and success across industries. As a director at HealthXL and a member of ANDHealth's International Investment Advisory Committee, he continues to shape the future of healthcare innovation.Join us as we delve into Andrew's journey, his insights on scaling ventures, and his fearless approach to entrepreneurship. If you liked this episode, make sure you subscribe and rate it - your support fuels our continuous endeavour to bring potent discussions to the fore of healthcare innovation.Find us on LinkedIn @ANDHealth and visit our website www.andhealth.com.au for more information and resources.With thanks to our key partners: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Novartis, Planet Innovation, Roche, Telstra Health, RMIT University, Curve, HPM Executive, and HealthXL.The Frank & Fearless Podcast by ANDHealth 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 commercialization. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.
July 4, 2024

450 – Digital Health Festival 2024 Feature Episode

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 successful advancements.Women's health and digital technology: Efforts to enhance women's healthcare through digital tools such as cloud-based records and AI scribes are driven by a commitment to addressing challenges like heavy periods.AI's role in healthcare: The potential of AI to boost productivity and communication in healthcare is highlighted by experts who advocate for its responsible integration to engage and inform patients effectively.Clinician and tech community partnership: Clinician involvement is crucial in developing healthcare technologies and fostering partnerships with the tech community to create practical and effective solutions.Digital health equity: Research into equitable digital health is championed, aiming for future strategies that ensure technology benefits all individuals, regardless of their background.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
July 1, 2024
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Talking HealthTech

Conversations with Doctors, Developers and Decision Makers to promote innovation and collaboration for better healthcare enabled by technology. Because collaboration begins with conversation.

Host

Peter Birch

Peter Birch

Peter Birch has worked in management roles in healthcare organisations for over 15 years; big ones and small ones, innovative start ups and slow moving beasts, he’s seen all different kinds. Pete has experienced first hand the exciting developments and the frustrating stagnation's of all the ups and downs in health, as well as the impact to businesses, investors, doctors, and patients.

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