In this episode of Medicubes, Chris, Riwka, Kim are joined live at the Best Practice Summit 2025 by Craig Hodges (CEO, Best Practice), Janice Tan (GM of Clinical at Bupa), Steven Kaye (GP and RACGP committee member), Jaspreet Saini (GP and Chief Medical Officer, HotDoc), and Kylie Payne (CEO, Interconnect Healthcare). The panel explores the primary care landscape, with a focus on technology-enabled practice management, digital health, and the practical implications for practice managers working in Australian general practice.

Key Points:

• Celebrating Progress: Recognising recent “bright spots” in primary care, including rapid digital transformation during COVID-19, especially the adoption of eScripts, and the increasing role of AI technology.
• Integrating AI: Discussing practical examples of AI benefiting general practice, all while maintaining a patient-centred approach.
• Challenges and Risks: Addressing barriers to digital adoption in primary care. The lack of comprehensive regulation and standards around AI in Australia is also noted as a current concern for clinical safety and governance.
• Access and Continuity: They highlight rising wait times for appointments and shifting patterns of patient access. The tension between continuity and convenience is a central theme, with technology proposed as a bridge to close this gap.
• Role of Education: Emphasising the need for ongoing education of all practice staff, across clinical and administrative roles, as essential to prevent practices and patients being left behind in the rapid digital transformation of primary care.
• Collaborative Projects: Initiatives like the SPARK project are presented as examples of industry collaboration, aiming to align data collection across the healthcare sector to facilitate more integrated and patient-centred care.
• Looking Forward: Discussing what’s possible in the next five years, advocating for digital solutions that maintain a balance between technological advancement, sustainability, and optimal patient outcomes.

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