The Good Tech by the Medical Software Industry Association (MSIA)

Essential software for GP's and Specialists: Making a Difference for a Safer and Smarter Patient Care

In this episode of the MSIA Good Tech Podcast, we speak with Kirk Kikirekov from HealthTrack, Chris Smeed from Cubico, Dr Safwan Sayyal from Sayyal Health Services, Helen Souris from Cardihab, Cameron Sampson from Telstra Health, Maxwell Holmes from MediRecords, Marcus Wilson from Surgical Partners, Robert Best from MIMS, Jan Chaffey and Cameron Jaffrey from Stat Health. This special episode is focused on essential software tools for GPs and specialists, highlighting the leading solutions helping Australian healthcare providers streamline processes, maintain safety, improve efficiency, and support sustainability. A series of in-depth interviews with founders, CEOs, clinicians, and product leads from multiple companies serving primary and specialist care. Covering the development and evolution of clinical and practice management systems, data integration, digital transformation, medication safety, multidisciplinary care, billing and business optimisation, and prevention. Key Takeaways: 1. Integrating digital capture of medical devices and medication usage at the point of care improves workflow efficiency. Helping clinicians respond swiftly to recalls and ensure accurate billing and stock management (Kirk Kikirekov, Dr Safwan Sayyal). 2. The transition from on-premises to cloud-based practice management systems is an ongoing journey, with organisations navigating security, connectivity, regulatory requirements, and clinician preferences. (Maxwell Holmes, Cameron Sampson, Jan Chaffey, Cameron Jaffrey). 3. Evidence-based digital therapeutics and preventive care technologies, such as remote cardiac rehabilitation platforms, demonstrate improved outcomes (e.g., reduction in hospital bed days), greater equity of access, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional care. (Helen Souris). 4. Robust reporting, analytics, and care optimisation tools help practices spot care opportunities, improve outcomes, and strengthen financial health. Seamless integration with existing systems delivers daily data-driven insights while supporting compliance and long-term sustainability. (Chris Smeed, Marcus Wilson). 5. Authoritative medication information and up-to-date decision support enable safe prescribing and dispensing. Centralised resources like MIMS provide clinicians with real-time PBS updates, reliable medication guidance, and safe management tools, while also supporting IT vendors through trusted partnerships. (Robert Best). 6. Interoperability across platforms within practices and large organisations is becoming essential. Open APIs, FHIR standards, and marketplace models make it easier to connect add-ons, integrate technologies like AI scribes, and tailor workflows to varied clinical needs.(Maxwell Holmes, Cameron Sampson, Jan Chaffey, Cameron Jaffrey). 7. Business efficiency in healthcare relies not only on clinical excellence but also transparent, automated financial management. (Marcus Wilson). 8. Industry collaboration among software vendors, government, professional groups, and clinicians is essential in navigating digital health challenges, supporting innovation, and driving adoption of tools that demonstrably improve care quality and organisational sustainability. The MSIA Good Tech Podcast responds to hot health topics through expert commentary with practical working responses from industry. Each episode brings you expert commentary and practical insights from industry leaders and professionals. The MSIA addresses pressing health topics and offering tangible solutions. Our goal is to spotlight challenges, bridge gaps, and uncover opportunities that enhance healthcare standards. Whether you're a professional within health service delivery or committed to staying abreast of best practices in Australia, join us for a deep dive into critical issues like AI, aged care, interoperability, primary health care tools and more. With real-life case studies, we demonstrate how cutting-edge technology is transforming healthcare, one solution at a time. This show 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.

Industry Founders, Inventors and Stars: Real-Life Tales of Grit, Growth, and Going Global

In this episode of the MSIA Good Tech Podcast, we speak with Gerard Stevens from Webster Care, Dr Ben Hurst from HotDoc, Dr Frank Pyefinch and Lorraine Pyefinch from Best Practice, and Jenny O’Neil from Episoft about the journeys of industry founders, inventors, and stars who have shaped the landscape of Australian health technology. Covering the personal stories behind the development of well-known products such as the Webster Pack, HotDoc, Best Practice, and Episoft. Each guest shares the inspiration that led to their innovations, challenges faced during their development, and the ongoing impact of their work within healthcare. Exploring topics in creating practical technology for medication management, driving efficiency in clinical settings, the role of practitioner founders in product success, interoperability, and advice for new entrants to the sector. Focusing on real-world problems, the iterative nature of health tech innovation, and the critical need to address evolving requirements in the industry. Key Takeaways: * The Webster Pack was developed to improve medication compliance and patient independence, now widely recognised in aged care and community settings. * HotDoc enables GPs to reduce administrative burden and focus on quality patient care, offering digital solutions for bookings and patient engagement. * Best Practice originated from the direct needs of clinicians and grew through continuous feedback, practical innovation, and strong industry standards. * Founders with clinical backgrounds are well-placed to identify practical problems and build relevant solutions, as demonstrated by Best Practice and Episoft. * Addressing interoperability and standardisation (such as adopting FHIR) is critical for efficiency and future-proofing industry partnerships. The MSIA Good Tech Podcast responds to hot health topics through expert commentary with practical working responses from industry. Each episode brings you expert commentary and practical insights from industry leaders and professionals. The MSIA addresses pressing health topics and offering tangible solutions. Our goal is to spotlight challenges, bridge gaps, and uncover opportunities that enhance healthcare standards. Whether you're a professional within health service delivery or committed to staying abreast of best practices in Australia, join us for a deep dive into critical issues like AI, aged care, interoperability, primary health care tools and more. With real-life case studies, we demonstrate how cutting-edge technology is transforming healthcare, one solution at a time. This show 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.

Interoperability and International trends from the Father of FHIR

In this episode of the MSIA Good Tech Podcast, we speak with Grahame Grieve, founder of HL7 FHIR, about international trends in healthcare interoperability, with a focus on the Australian landscape. Exploring which interoperability approaches are working, which are not, and what the next steps are for both software and frontline care. Discussing the problems at the core of interoperability, including why FHIR was created and the progress made over the years. Talking on the ongoing challenges faced by clinicians and consumers, the importance of standards and governance, and the balance needed between innovation and conformity. Grahame gave insight into the differences between Australian and global initiatives, such as SPARKED and Argonaut, reflecting on the roles of government and industry, and the critical need to build technical and clinical capacity for future progress. Key Takeaways:  * Interoperability in healthcare is a complex, ongoing process requiring agreement across thousands of elements, not just technical connections. * A major challenge is that end-users of software (clinicians) are often not the purchasers, leading to misaligned priorities in solutions delivered. * Effective standards necessarily limit flexibility for individual users to ensure broader societal benefits, which can be a source of frustration at the clinical level. * Australia’s approach, driven by strong governance and community engagement, provides a solid model, though long-term technical capacity remains a limiting factor. * The success of interoperability can be determined by which healthcare providers would be hampered if existing tools were taken away. The MSIA Good Tech Podcast responds to hot health topics through expert commentary with practical working responses from industry. Each episode brings you expert commentary and practical insights from industry leaders and professionals. The MSIA addresses pressing health topics and offering tangible solutions. Our goal is to spotlight challenges, bridge gaps, and uncover opportunities that enhance healthcare standards. Whether you're a professional within health service delivery or committed to staying abreast of best practices in Australia, join us for a deep dive into critical issues like AI, aged care, interoperability, primary health care tools and more. With real-life case studies, we demonstrate how cutting-edge technology is transforming healthcare, one solution at a time. This show 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.

Bridging the Gaps: Interoperability, Cloud, and the Future of Connected Healthcare

In this episode of the MSIA Good Tech Podcast, we speak with Grahame Grieve (Health Intersections), Jessica White (Best Practice), David Young (Healthlink), and Brad Porter (Orion Health) about the current state and future direction of interoperability in Australian healthcare, with a particular focus on new standards, integration challenges, and real-world implementation.  Covering the progress Australia has made in embracing interoperability, with initiatives such as the Sparked FHIR community and the transition to cloud-based systems. Case studies from leading software vendors reveal what is needed to deliver on interoperability, from practical governance and partnership frameworks to addressing the increased stress placed on vendors as new standards and requirements are introduced. Key Takeaways: * Australia is playing catch-up on interoperability but is making significant strides with strong community and government collaboration around standards like FHIR. * Successful interoperability requires shared vision and coordinated investment between industry, government, and institutions. * Vendors face challenges adapting products for variable and inconsistent integration requirements; common standards like FHIR will streamline this in future. * Building trust and clear governance processes is essential for data sharing, privacy, and secure integration between healthcare providers and third-party partners. * Change management and education for end-users often falls to software vendors, who require recognition and support for this critical work. The MSIA Good Tech Podcast responds to hot health topics through expert commentary with practical working responses from industry. Each episode brings you expert commentary and practical insights from industry leaders and professionals. The MSIA addresses pressing health topics and offering tangible solutions. Our goal is to spotlight challenges, bridge gaps, and uncover opportunities that enhance healthcare standards. Whether you're a professional within health service delivery or committed to staying abreast of best practices in Australia, join us for a deep dive into critical issues like AI, aged care, interoperability, primary health care tools and more. With real-life case studies, we demonstrate how cutting-edge technology is transforming healthcare, one solution at a time. This show 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.

Smarter Hospitals, Safer Patients: Health Tech Leaders on the Future of Care

In this episode of the MSIA Good Tech Podcast, we speak with Margaret Wright (RLDatix), Kate Quirke (Alcidian), Jenny O’Neill (Episoft), and Paul Beraldo (Dedalus) about the practical application of technology in hospitals to improve productivity, interoperability, patient and workforce satisfaction, and overall healthcare outcomes in Australia. Discussions focused on tools for clinical governance, workforce management and rostering, data consolidation and interoperability platforms, digital front door solutions for hospitals, AI in administrative and clinical support, and patient engagement tools. Sharing real-world examples of operational improvements, cost savings, and safer patient care resulting from these technologies. Along with focusing on the barriers to broader uptake, including procurement reform, policy alignment, funding for change management, and the need for agile implementation, and on the tangible benefits already experienced across public and private healthcare settings. Key Takeaways: * Effective rostering and incident management platforms can deliver significant cost savings and improvements in staff utilisation without reducing workforce numbers. * Interoperability platforms like Alcidian’s help consolidate data from multiple systems, resulting in better patient flow, reduced wait times, and more informed decision-making * AI and automation in hospitals can release clinicians’ time from administrative burdens, and to focus more on patient care while supporting safer and more efficient outcomes. * Digital front door platforms, such as Episoft’s, streamline all aspects of patient admission processes, saving time for administration and clinical staff and improving the patient experience. * Patient engagement apps empower patients to participate actively in their own care, reducing administrative workload and supporting more sustainable healthcare delivery. The MSIA Good Tech Podcast responds to hot health topics through expert commentary with practical working responses from industry. Each episode brings you expert commentary and practical insights from industry leaders and professionals. The MSIA addresses pressing health topics and offering tangible solutions. Our goal is to spotlight challenges, bridge gaps, and uncover opportunities that enhance healthcare standards. Whether you're a professional within health service delivery or committed to staying abreast of best practices in Australia, join us for a deep dive into critical issues like AI, aged care, interoperability, primary health care tools and more. With real-life case studies, we demonstrate how cutting-edge technology is transforming healthcare, one solution at a time. This show 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.