The Good GP

In this episode of The Good GP, Dr Sean Stevens speaks with Dr Ramya Raman, RACGP Vice-President, GP and practice owner, and Jessica White, Chief Technology Officer at Best Practice Software, about recent government changes to the assignment of benefits process and what it means for general practice.
Dr Ramya Raman discusses how the RACGP successfully advocated for an extension of the verbal consent period for assignment of benefit until 30 June 2027, following concerns raised by GPs around the country. This extension allows practices more time to adapt to new workflows and technology requirements without disrupting patient care. The enduring assignment process, especially significant for aged care and frequent care patients, is also highlighted as a practical improvement.
Jessica White provides practical advice for managing the transition, recommending that practices begin preparations early rather than waiting until the new deadline. They talked about engaging with software vendors, mapping and updating current workflows, refining billing processes, and prioritising staff and patient education.
Listeners are encouraged to stay informed through reliable sources and to use the transition period to prepare thoughtfully for upcoming changes.
Links & Resources:
RACGP: https://www.racgp.org.au/advocacy/advocacy-resources/assignment-of-benefit-and-signature-requirements
Department of Health: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/assignment-of-medicare-benefits-for-bulk-billing-frequently-asked-questions?language=en
Medical Director: https://www.telstrahealth.com/updates-to-telstra-health-products-to-meet-medicare-assignment-of-benefit-changes/
Zedmed: https://help.zedmed.com.au/help/create-an-eclipse-invoice

The Good GP Podcast 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
If you have any questions or would like to contact The Good GP, send an email to thegoodgp@gmail.com. Visit www.thegoodgp.com.au for previous episodes and more information. You can also find us on our Instagram page: @thegoodgppodcast. Follow us for more updates!

In this episode of the Good GP, Dr Ramya Raman speaks with Dr Fergus McCabe, specialist GP and medical governor of Western Australia’s AIDS Council, about the current rise of mpox (monkeypox) cases in Western Australia and across Australia.
Dr McCabe talks about the epidemiology and transmission of mpox, including shifting patterns from predominantly MSM (men who have sex with men) communities to increasing numbers among heterosexual men and women. Discussing the classic and current presentations of mpox and stresses the importance of clinical suspicion, even when presentations are atypical, such as isolated proctitis.
Key topics addressed include:
Recognising mpox: clinical features, variable presentations, and risk factors based on sexual history and practices.
Practical advice for GPs: how to take a sexual health history, safe specimen collection, appropriate testing, infection control, and patient isolation steps.
Guidance on vaccination: eligibility, timing, vaccine access, and recommendations for both patients at risk and healthcare workers.
Key reminders for GPs: stay vigilant, routinely ask non-judgmental sexual health questions, and continue mpox testing regardless of vaccination status.

The Good GP Podcast 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
If you have any questions or would like to contact The Good GP, send an email to thegoodgp@gmail.com. Visit www.thegoodgp.com.au for previous episodes and more information. You can also find us on our Instagram page: @thegoodgppodcast. Follow us for more updates!

In this episode of The Good GP, Dr Maria Li is joined by Dr Michael Bonning, GP, former Navy doctor, immediate past AMA NSW President, and current Chair of Public Health at the Federal AMA, to discuss the increasingly relevant topic of GPs providing medical commentary in the media.
Dr Bonning explains why engagement with the media is important for general practitioners, addressing the broadening definition of ‘media’ in modern practice. He notes that media exposure is not limited to traditional outlets such as television or newspapers but now commonly includes social media posts, commentary on closed professional groups, podcasts, and even op-eds. Dr Bonning emphasises that any time a GP’s comments reach more than one person, they are, in effect, representing the general practice profession.
The episode covers:
Why GPs should consider communicating with the media and how this helps to advocate for general practice and public health.
The importance of delivering clear, accurate, and appropriate messages while understanding and respecting the boundaries of one’s expertise.
A structured approach to preparing for public commentary: before, during, and after the engagement, including practical advice on signposting key points, managing uncertainty, and finishing interviews effectively.
Tips for handling challenging or unexpected questions from journalists and the importance of not being forced into accepting the premise of a question.
The value of situational awareness, both in-person (such as at press conferences) and when using equipment like microphones.
Dr Bonning also shares practical examples to illustrate his techniques and highlights how these skills can benefit both media engagements and everyday clinical communication.

Links & Resources:
https://theforge.defence.gov.au/article/six-golden-rules-media-interviews
https://preventioncentre.org.au/resources/engaging-with-the-media/
https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/attachments/2018-UNSW-Media-Training-Guide.pdf
https://www.abc.net.au/news/media-interview-guide

The Good GP Podcast 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
If you have any questions or would like to contact The Good GP, send an email to thegoodgp@gmail.com. Visit www.thegoodgp.com.au for previous episodes and more information. You can also find us on our Instagram page: @thegoodgppodcast. Follow us for more updates!

In this episode of The Good GP, Dr Tim Koh is joined by Kai van Lieshout, CEO and co-Founder of Lyrebird Health, to discuss the current and future role of AI tools in Australian general practice.
Describing the uptake of AI transcription tools, with about a quarter of GPs using scribe tools daily and more having trialled them. Kai explains that recent improvements mean these tools now offer better accuracy, easier customisation, and can handle a wider range of documentation tasks, such as care plans and referral letters.
They discuss Lyrebird’s integration with Best Practice clinical software, which makes AI scribing freely available and fully integrated for all users, improving both accessibility and safety. Covering how AI scribes may enhance the quality of patient interactions and relieve some of the documentation burden for GPs.
Looking at the importance of locally tailored AI solutions, continuous feedback, and transparency to ensure safety and effectiveness. Both guests view the potential for these tools to benefit not just doctors but practice staff across general practice, with ongoing, incremental improvements anticipated in the years to come.
Try Lyrebird Pro free for 3 months for The Good GP listeners
Lyrebird helps GP clinics reduce admin, capture more billings, and give clinicians time and mental capacity back. As a Good GP listener, get your first 3 months of Lyrebird Pro free - including AI scribe, automated care plans, health assessments, documents, and the AI Document Sorter for your clinic. New Lyrebird users only. Sign up by 9 September 2026, 11:59pm AEST. Terms and conditions apply.
Claim your offer
About Lyrebird Health
Lyrebird is an AI clinical documentation platform purpose-built for healthcare providers. By automating the capture and structuring of clinical notes, Lyrebird reduces administrative burden, improves documentation accuracy, helps clinicians spend more time on patient care and elevates the clinical standard. Trusted by leading healthcare organisations and clinicians across Australia, the UK, and the UAE, Lyrebird is backed by leading investors committed to transforming the future of healthcare delivery.
Learn more: https://www.lyrebirdhealth.com/au?utm_source=TheGoodGP&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=Show_Notes
The Good GP Podcast 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
If you have any questions or would like to contact The Good GP, send an email to thegoodgp@gmail.com. Visit www.thegoodgp.com.au for previous episodes and more information. You can also find us on our Instagram page: @thegoodgppodcast. Follow us for more updates!

In this episode, Dr Ramya Raman is joined by Dr Paul Victor Effler, a public health physician, to discuss the current diphtheria outbreak in northern Australia. The clinical features of diphtheria, including its potential for severe throat and skin infections, and highlights the characteristic signs to watch for in general practice.
Dr Effler outlines the epidemiology of the outbreak, noting its predominance in remote Aboriginal communities, and provides guidance on when to suspect diphtheria based on clinical and epidemiological clues. Recommending the use of culture and PCR swabs, as well as the importance of alerting public health authorities in suspected cases.
Explaining vaccination schedules and recent updates for high-risk areas, and the vaccine’s role in preventing severe disease but not transmission. They conclude by addressing the need for ongoing vaccination in affected communities and the importance of tackling underlying factors that contribute to high rates of skin infection.

The Good GP Podcast 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
If you have any questions or would like to contact The Good GP, send an email to thegoodgp@gmail.com. Visit www.thegoodgp.com.au for previous episodes and more information. You can also find us on our Instagram page: @thegoodgppodcast. Follow us for more updates!