Talking HealthTech

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch sits down with Emma Hossack, CEO of the Medical Software Industry Association (MSIA), to unpack the often overlooked role of software in keeping Australia’s healthcare system running.
The conversation explores how MSIA represents and supports the organisations building the digital infrastructure behind everyday care, and why their work is more critical than most people realise.
Peter and Emma dive into the origins and purpose of MSIA, its growing influence on health software policy, and how it is helping shape the governance of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
They also discuss the increasing weight of regulation, the tension between compliance and innovation, and the funding challenges facing local software providers.
The discussion offers a practical look at the people and systems working behind the scenes, and why stronger collaboration between government, industry, and clinicians will be essential for the future of digital health in Australia.

Key Takeaways
💡 Over 95% of Australian healthcare operates on MSIA member platforms, making their work foundational to the sector.
🔗 MSIA acts as a bridge between industry and government, shaping and supporting health software policy and regulation.
🧑‍💻 Artificial intelligence in health tech is a major focus, with MSIA developing a voluntary code for unregulated products and leading industry-wide collaboration on AI governance.
📊 Regulatory compliance demands have increased significantly, with some software providers now spending up to 80% of their effort on meeting these requirements.
🤝 MSIA facilitates collaboration, networking, and knowledge sharing through events, monthly member sessions, matchmaking, and support for overcoming industry roadblocks.

Timestamps
00:01 — Introduction to MSIA
04:00 — Industry impact and membership
07:00 — COVID-19 response and digital prescribing
12:41 — AI in healthcare and MSIA’s voluntary code
19:40 — Regulation vs. innovation in development
26:11 — Funding, training, and recent challenges
38:37 — Upcoming priorities and activities

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The full article and extended show notes for this episode are available inside the THT+ Community here: View Full Article
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.
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In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Casey Going, founder of MBSPro and a rural GP, about the evolving landscape of general practice and the growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare.
The conversation explores the operational pressures facing rural clinics, including workforce shortages, financial constraints, and the realities of delivering care outside metropolitan areas.
It also unpacks how technology is being used in real clinical settings, from streamlining administrative tasks to supporting patient triage and improving Medicare billing processes.
Broader themes around practice sustainability, recruitment, and the shift towards larger, more specialised clinics are examined, alongside the opportunities and challenges that come with adopting new digital tools.
The episode offers a grounded look at how innovation is shaping primary care today, and what the future may hold for practice owners navigating a rapidly changing environment.

Key Takeaways
🩺 Operational pressures drive tech adoption: Rural clinics face significant recruitment and financial challenges, making technology and AI tools essential for streamlining processes and reducing overhead.
🤖 AI enhances efficiency, not replaces staff: Technology is being implemented to reduce cognitive load and repetitive tasks among staff, allowing people to focus on more value-adding activities, not eliminating jobs.
💸 Medicare funding misconceptions: Medicare offers rebates, not free care; financial sustainability for clinics requires careful billing and operational strategy as margins remain tight.
🏥 Future of general practice: Practices are likely to become larger and more specialised, with AI assistance and a shift toward two tiers of clinics—ultra-lean bulk billing models and comprehensive, tech-enabled fee-for-service clinics.
👥 Practice ownership advice: Aspiring owners should seek mentors beyond general practice and embrace technology and business principles from other industries for sustainable operations.

Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction & guest background
03:53 - Rural practice operational pressures
07:01 - Balancing clinical care, innovation, and sustainability
09:24 - AI implementation examples
14:11 - Medicare funding & misconceptions
16:41 - Predicted future clinic models
19:21 - Accreditation burden & compliance
23:16 - Financial sustainability of clinics
31:18 - Practical advice for practice owners
33:37 - Upcoming MBS Pro features

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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.
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In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dan Wijeratne, founder of MyGPMPtool (MGT), and Genevieve McLauren-Lee, a registered nurse and practice manager at My Medical Services Australia.
The discussion explores how patient demographics vary across clinics and the evolving role of technology in general practice.
It also covers structural changes in care planning within Australian healthcare, along with practical strategies to improve patient engagement and clinician efficiency.
The episode unpacks how patient-centric care, effective communication tools, and the balance of business and medicine are shaping sustainable health practices.

Key Takeaways
🩺 General practice faces diverse patient demographics and challenges
🕒 Technology enables faster, more meaningful consultations without compromising patient interaction
📝 Structural changes in care planning emphasise patient-centric, team-based approaches
🤝 Effective patient engagement depends on meaningful communication and tailored tools
💼 Sustainable practice requires tools balancing clinician efficiency, patient experience, and business demands

Timestamps
00:00 Introductions & practice overview
03:12 Responsive, innovative general practice
06:02 Technology's role in patient-GP interaction
07:24 Chronic disease vs. preventative care
12:24 Health cues and brief assessments
14:48 Structural healthcare changes in Australia
21:41 Technology supporting patient experience
26:06 Balancing patient, clinician, and business needs

________
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The full article and extended show notes for this episode are available inside the THT+ Community here: View Full Article Here
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In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Lars Borup, Clinical Manager at Dedalus, and Andrew Mitchell, Paramedic Clinical Consultant for Australia and New Zealand, about the growing issue of ambulance ramping and the pressures facing paramedics and emergency departments.
They discuss the human and operational impacts of patients waiting outside hospitals, and the complex factors driving congestion, from changing social structures to system bottlenecks.
The conversation also explores digital solutions for streamlining patient handovers, including real-time data sharing, electronic patient care records, and coordinated care pathways.
Drawing on both local experiences and international models from Europe, Lars and Andrew highlight how improved communication between pre-hospital care and hospitals can reduce delays and optimise patient flow.
They also show how connecting with primary care providers supports better outcomes across the wider health system.
This episode highlights how technology, workflow improvements, and integrated care can transform emergency services.
Key Takeaways
🔄 Growing demand in healthcare leads to complex ambulance ramping and bed block challenges in Australia and globally
👨‍⚕️ Secondary triage and alternate care pathways are being developed to reduce hospital load
📱 Real-time electronic patient care records enable hospitals to prepare more effectively for incoming patients
🤝 Seamless communication and integrated data sharing between paramedics, hospitals, and primary care are critical for efficient transitions
🚑 Structured digital tools support paramedics in decision-making and workflow, leading to improved patient safety and quality
Timestamps
00:00 — Speaker introductions
05:19 — Why not just add resources?
07:47 — Is ramping just shifting the block?
10:23 — Transition and handover points
12:23 — Real-time electronic records in Denmark
17:26 — Pre-arrival notification in Australia
26:15 — Digital support tools for paramedics
28:40 — Unified ED and ambulance workflow
32:49 — Addressing ambulance ramping: Communication

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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.
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In this episode of Talking HealthTech, guest host and clinician Dr Max Mollenkopf is joined by Cliffe Hodgkinson, co-founder of Updoc, to explore the rapidly evolving world of telehealth and digital healthcare in Australia.
The discussion dives deep into how Updoc is reshaping access to primary care, using technology to streamline patient intake, triage, and workflow management while maintaining robust clinical governance.
The episode also examines the challenges and opportunities of building a digital health business, from recruiting and engaging clinicians with flexible work models to navigating economic pressures and policy changes.
The conversation explores patient expectations in the digital age, the practical realities of delivering online consultations, and the ways digital platforms can complement traditional GP services.
Cliffe and Max explore what drives patient adoption, how friction points in traditional clinics are being addressed, and what the future may hold for hybrid models of care that blend online and in-person consultations.
Key Takeaways
🩺 Updoc offers flexible, on-demand telehealth for routine and urgent care across Australia, focusing on accessibility for rural and time-poor patients.
🔗 Incremental innovation and listening to user feedback drive continuous improvements in patient intake flows, data integration and care delivery.
👨‍⚕️ Doctors are attracted by hyper-flexible work arrangements, supporting clinicians returning to work and those balancing multiple roles.
⚖️ Updoc prioritises clinical governance, developing frameworks for patient safety, credentialing, and collaborating with Patients Australia on digital health standards.
💡 Telehealth complements, but doesn’t replace, in-person care, offering new pathways for multimodal, hybrid healthcare delivery in Australia.
Timestamps
00:00 – Updoc introduction & mission
00:05 – Updoc's formative experiences
06:47 – Incremental innovation at UpDoc
14:30 – Clinician engagement & workforce
16:49 – Clinical governance approach
22:02 – Accessibility focus: rural/time-poor
29:30 – The future of telehealth vs. traditional care
38:53 – Potential for hybrid & triage models
44:03 – Patient impact story
_________
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.