Talking HealthTech

By Talking HealthTech

Conversations with clinicians, vendors, policy makers and decision makers to promote innovation and collaboration for better healthcare enabled by technology.

Learn about digital health, medical dev... more

· Technology

4.2

55 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Talking HealthTech:

How many episodes does Talking HealthTech have?

The podcast currently has 665 episodes available.

Talking HealthTech episodes:

June 08, 2026 614 - Improving Access and Outcomes Across New Zealand: Tend’s Integrated Digital-First Care Model
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, guest host Dr Max Mollenkopf sits down with Graham Denyer, GP and Medical Director at Tend, a hybrid digital and physical primary care provider operating across New Zealand.
Together they unpack what it really takes to redesign general practice from the ground up, and why getting it right matters more than ever.
Graham walks through how New Zealand's capitated funding model shapes the day-to-day reality of general practice, and why the blended model of government subsidy and out-of-pocket costs creates both opportunities and real tensions for patients and providers alike.
The discussion also touches into how Tend has built a fully integrated care model that brings together digital technology, telehealth, and physical clinics in a way that feels seamless for patients and clinicians.
There is also a candid look at the role of data and AI in lifting the quality of clinical records, how open notes are changing the relationship between patients and their care teams, and why benchmarking clinician performance across a large network is uncomfortable but necessary.
The episode also digs into Tend's approach to equity, particularly the work being done to improve access and outcomes for Māori and Pacific communities, and why well-designed digital tools can close gaps rather than widen them.
Since the recording of this episode, Tend has announced it is entering into an agreement to purchase Green Cross 'The Doctors' (pending shareholder approval). This network of 65 clinics across New Zealand will roughly triple Tend's footprint, and will see Māori iwi becoming one of the largest shareholders.
More information can be read in Tend's press release here.
Key Takeaways
🧑‍⚕️ Capitated Funding Model in NZ
The New Zealand primary care funding model is based on capitation, with a blend of government funding and patient co-pays, driving unique incentives and challenges.
🌐 Integrated Digital & Physical Care
Tend combines digital platforms and bricks-and-mortar clinics, allowing for unified health records and seamless patient journeys across online and in-person services.
📈 Data, AI, and Open Notes
Tend leverages AI for scribing and standardising clinical records, open notes for patient transparency, and centralised data to drive quality and continuity across care teams.
🌏 Equity and Access Initiatives
Specific strategies are in place to improve primary care access for Māori and Pacifica communities, with representation at the board level and targeted service design.
👩‍🔬 Multidisciplinary, Team-Based Care
Tend’s model supports distributed care teams, drawing on nurses, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists, positioning the GP as a team leader rather than sole provider.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
02:03 - New Zealand’s capitation model
07:11 - Hybrid physical and digital clinics
12:55 - Unified technology/app experience
13:59 - Right channel, right care approach
21:15 - Telehealth workforce and flexibility
25:46 - Pricing, co-pays, and structure
28:54 - Data quality and AI scribe
44:12 - Clinical benchmarking and open data
54:59 - Māori and Pacifica health equity
01:03:21 - GP productivity and team-based care
Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.
If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes
And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps.
Mentioned in this episode:
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
...more
1h 10min
June 03, 2026 613 - Preventative and Personalised Primary Care: EverLab on Data, Engagement and Innovation
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Dr Max Mollenkopf sits down with Steven Lu, co-founder and medical director at EverLab.
The conversation explores the evolution of primary care through EverLab's preventative and personalised health model.
Topics include data consolidation, patient empowerment, healthcare branding, and the role of technology in general practice, as well as the nuances around preventative testing such as whole-body MRI.
Steven and Max dig into the real challenges of building a healthcare model that puts prevention first, from navigating the complexities of Medicare funding and GP identity to scaling clinical excellence across a growing network of clinicians.
They also get candid about the longevity medicine hype, what good medicine actually looks like in this space, and why behaviour change is just as important as clinical advice.
Key Takeaways
✨ The role of data consolidation: Everlab collects patients’ health records, empowering both clinicians and patients with consolidated, accessible data to support personalised preventative care.
🔄 Primary care branding and evolution: The decision to avoid “general practice” branding is discussed, highlighting how patient perceptions and government funding models shape engagement and commercial viability.
🤝 Patient engagement and experience: High-quality, engaging customer experience is positioned as essential for behaviour change, increased trust, and long-term continuity of care.
💻 Technology as a driver: Technology, from patient interfaces to clinical audit tools, streamlines high-quality care and creates scalable models beyond traditional GP practices.
🧪 Preventative testing and consent: Discussion of commercially popular preventative tools like whole-body MRI, with a focus on appropriate use, informed consent, and aligning clinical outcomes with business models.
Timestamps
00:00 - Meet Everlab: mission & approach
04:41 - Consolidating health data for care
06:09 - Target audience and shifting focus
08:38 - Rethinking general practice branding
13:09 - Longevity & preventative care models
17:20 - Defining functional & integrated medicine
21:51 - Preventative care—systemic challenges
27:50 - Consumer experience in healthcare
35:18 - Quality, speed, cost trade-offs
40:05 - Scaling and standardising clinical care
57:34 - Preventative tests: whole body MRI
01:09:04 - Aligning commercial and clinical outcomes
Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.
If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes
And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps.
Mentioned in this episode:
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
...more
1h 15min
June 01, 2026 612 - Small Steps, Big Futures: Solving Maternity Care One Happy Baby at a Time
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Brendan Tang and Peter Rady from Medicity.
Together, they discuss EVE, a digital health platform improving maternity care, supporting parents, and optimising outcomes in the crucial first 2,000 days of life.
The discussion covers the strategic framework behind early childhood health, the ways technology can enhance communication between hospitals and clinicians, and how feedback from both clinicians and families drives EVE's development.
They also explore the real-world impact of the platform, including how one Melbourne hospital reduced maternal hypertension and hyperemesis admissions by 50%, the economic case for early intervention, and why getting the first 2,000 days right has consequences that reach well beyond the maternity ward.
The conversation also touches on the importance of building support networks that extend beyond the mother, and the challenge of scaling digital solutions equitably across communities.
Looking further ahead, Brendan and Peter R share their vision for what prevention-focused perinatal care could look like at a state and national level.
Key Takeaways
🍼 Focusing on the first 2,000 days, from conception to age five, can transform a person’s lifelong health and reduce social and economic burdens.
📱 EVE delivers hospital-curated information, communication tools, and community support directly to parents via a mobile app, improving engagement and health outcomes.
🏥 Maternity hospitals using EVE have seen up to a 50% reduction in maternal health admissions from early intervention based on remote monitoring and direct messaging.
🤝 EVE adapts and evolves based on ongoing feedback from parents, clinicians, and healthcare systems to address real-world needs.
🌏 The next steps for EVE involve expanding beyond individual hospitals to state and country-wide implementations to maximise impact.
Timestamps
01:03 - Medicity’s evolution and focus
02:21 - The “First 2,000 Days” strategy
03:44 - Tools to improve early years
06:07 - Brain development importance
12:19 - Hospital outcomes with EVE
16:46 - Community and loneliness support
19:38 - Appointment and immunisation tools
22:33 - Building based on feedback
28:03 - Scaling EVE state and nationwide
Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.
If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes
And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps.
Mentioned in this episode:
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
...more
33min
May 27, 2026 611 - Bold Upgrades, Zero Downtime: How Smart Labs Are Modernising Pathology
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch sits down with Dan Burke, Managing Director at Magentus, and Ben Richardson, CEO at Labflow, for a wide-ranging conversation about the state of pathology in Australia and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
With half a billion pathology tests processed in Australia every year and a workforce of only 2,500 pathologists, the sector is under significant pressure.
Dan and Ben unpack what that means for labs trying to modernise without disrupting the critical services that clinicians and patients depend on every day.
The discussion covers the growing role of artificial intelligence in diagnostic settings, exploring where AI is already delivering practical value and where human oversight remains non-negotiable.
The episode also digs into the challenge of legacy technology, making the case for incremental, modular modernisation over risky large-scale overhauls that can put operations at risk.
Beyond the technology, the conversation explores how consumer expectations are reshaping pathology, from the direct-to-consumer testing boom across Asia-Pacific markets to the rise of genomics and personalised medicine.
Key Takeaways
🔬 The pathology sector in Australia faces a significant workforce shortage and increasing test complexity, putting pressure on digital transformation in labs
🧩 Incremental modernisation and interoperability are addressed as more practical than full system replacements for pathology lab infrastructure
🧑‍⚕️ AI in diagnostics is positioned as a support tool for clinicians and administrative workflows, rather than replacing human experts
🌏 Consumer-driven demand, particularly in APAC markets like India and Malaysia, is accelerating digital adoption and expectations for health data access
🧬 The falling cost of genomics and genetics is setting the stage for personalised preventive healthcare and more targeted diagnostics
Timestamps
00:00 - Introductions & episode overview
00:54 - What is Magentus?
01:55 - The origin of Lab Flow
03:48 - The pathology landscape in 2026
08:42 - Fragmentation & technology challenges
13:58 - Incremental modernisation explained
17:38 - Interoperability & complexity in labs
19:05 - Role of AI in laboratory services
25:57 - Social perspectives on AI in healthcare
29:25 - Genomics, personalisation, and the future
Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.
If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes
And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps.
Mentioned in this episode:
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
...more
37min
May 25, 2026 610 - Exploring AI and Innovation in Healthcare at the RLDatix Summit 2026
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Paula Stephenson (Executive Director of Clinical Excellence, Mercy Health), Bianca Todd (Improvement Innovation Advisor, Western District Health Service), The Hon. Victor Dominello (CEO, Future Government Institute), and Dan Michelson (CEO, RLDatix).
The conversation explores the evolving landscape of healthcare compliance, workforce management, and digital transformation across the health sector.
It also examines the practical impact of AI and emerging technologies on healthcare delivery, organisational change, and patient care.
The discussion highlights the growing importance of accessible and meaningful data in improving quality, safety, and patient outcomes, alongside the challenges organisations face when modernising legacy systems and fragmented workflows.
Speakers reflect on the role of interoperability, digital maturity, and leadership in shaping more connected healthcare environments, while also examining how AI is influencing decision making, workforce planning, and service delivery.
The episode also delves into the cultural side of technology implementation, including change fatigue, clinician engagement, and the importance of building values-driven teams that can support long-term transformation.
This episode was recorded at the RLDatix Connected Health and Care Summit for Asia Pacific in 2026, capturing discussions from healthcare leaders and technology innovators during the event.
Key Takeaways
💡 Patient-centred care is the focus of digital and AI innovation in healthcare.
💡 Transitioning from paper to digital systems brings both challenges and opportunities for compliance, efficiency, and workforce management.
💡 Change management and team engagement are crucial for successful technology adoption in clinical environments.
💡 Breaking down data silos is essential for harnessing the full value of AI in healthcare.
💡 Organisational values and a customer-obsessed approach drive better outcomes in healthcare technology projects.
Timestamps
00:00 – Peter Birch: Episode and event introduction
00:42 – Paula Stephenson, Executive Director, Clinical Excellence, Mercy Health
07:57 – Bianca Todd, Improvement Innovation Advisor, Western District Health Service
16:08 – The Hon. Victor Dominello, CEO, Future Government Institute
21:29 – Dan Michelson, CEO, RLDatix
Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.
If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes
And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps.
Mentioned in this episode:
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
...more
35min
May 20, 2026 609 - Automating Primary Care Admin with Care GP: AI Solutions for Australian Clinics
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Melvin Chen, CEO and founder of Care GP, about the evolving role of automation and artificial intelligence in primary care administration.
The conversation digs into the very real administrative pressures facing Australian GP clinics today and how Care GP is working to address them in practical, measurable ways.
Melvin walks through the development and growing uptake of Care GP's products, Samantha and Veronica, sharing firsthand insights into how these tools are being received by practices on the ground.
Their discussion also explores broader themes around workforce efficiency, technology adoption, and what it truly means to build technology that fits the way clinics actually work.
The episode further explains why AI-driven admin solutions are becoming an essential part of the future of general practice in Australia.
Key Takeaways
💡 Administrative costs are a significant burden in healthcare, making up to a third of overall spending; automating these processes leads to major efficiency gains.
💡 Care GP’s solutions, particularly Samantha for document processing and Veronica for voice automation, are being rapidly adopted, with customer demand driving product focus.
💡 Clinics have realised direct workforce cost savings—up to $55,000 per year at mid-sized sites—by automating document management tasks.
💡 The conversation highlights that technology is not about replacing staff, but about redeploying people to higher-value tasks and enabling practice growth.
💡 Customisation for medical workflows and continuous user feedback are essential for the successful implementation of AI-based admin tools in healthcare.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction & Care GP recap
02:11 - Admin burden in primary care
05:06 - Launch and adoption of Samantha
14:05 - IT budget vs workforce savings
22:41 - Veronica voice agent demonstration
31:07 - What's next for Care GP
Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.
If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes
And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps.
Mentioned in this episode:
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
...more
36min
May 18, 2026 608 - From Burnout to Breakthrough: Real World Impact of AI Scribes at Heidi Unlocked
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dr Catherine Skellern, Dr Nancy Cibotti and Dean Mills about the adoption and impact of Heidi Health technology in clinical and community health settings.
The conversations cover clinician-driven implementation, reducing administrative burden, and transforming the way healthcare professionals engage with patients and families.
The discussion explores how AI documentation tools are reshaping daily clinical workflows, relieving the cognitive load that has long contributed to burnout and attrition across the sector.
From the experiences of a consultant paediatrician to insights from a US-based Chief Medical Information Officer and a community services technology leader, the episode draws on a breadth of perspectives to examine what responsible, effective AI adoption looks like in practice.
This episode was recorded at Heidi Unlocked in Melbourne, Australia and features a selection of conversations Talking HealthTech captured during the event with healthcare professionals, clinicians and technology leaders.
Key Takeaways
🔹 Clinician-led adoption of technology is critical for effective implementation in healthcare settings.
🔹 AI scribes like Heidi can reduce documentation burden and cognitive load for clinicians and social workers.
🔹 Technology enables healthcare providers to focus more on patient interaction and less on paperwork.
🔹 Addressing privacy and risk assessment is essential when implementing AI in healthcare.
🔹 Grassroots demand from users can accelerate the adoption and scaling of new digital tools.
Timestamps
00:00 - Peter Birch: Introduction
00:36 - Dr Catherine Skellern, Child Development Network
06:30 - Dr Nancy Cibotti, Heidi Health
10:27 - Dean Mills, Anglicare Victoria
Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.
If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes
And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps.
Mentioned in this episode:
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
...more
17min
May 13, 2026 607 - Bringing Consistency to Complexity Through AI-Driven Decision Support
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Simon Taylor Cross, Chief Commercial Officer, and Dr Daniel Stiglitz, Director & Co-Founder at Atidia Health.
Together, they explore the realities of perioperative care today, including the challenges created by variability in pre-surgery patient management and what that means for both patient safety and system performance.
The conversation looks closely at how Atidia Health’s Patient Optimiser Platform (POP) uses clinical decision support and AI to identify risk earlier, support more consistent care, and help clinicians make better-informed decisions without disrupting existing workflows.
It also unpacks what it actually takes to implement technology in real hospital settings, from change management and clinician engagement to aligning stakeholders across complex health systems.
Along the way, the episode highlights a broader question facing healthcare today: how can we reduce preventable harm while systems grow more complex and clinicians face increasing pressure?
This discussion offers practical insights into the intersection of clinical practice, digital health, and real-world implementation, highlighting how smarter, evidence-based approaches can support safer and more reliable patient outcomes.
Key Takeaways
🔍 Variability in preoperative care leads to inconsistent patient outcomes, with a significant proportion of complications being preventable
🤝 Embedding clinical expertise with technology and commercial strategy is essential for building effective solutions like POP
⚙️ POP is designed to work within existing healthcare workflows, ensuring support rather than disruption for clinicians and staff
💡 Early identification and intervention using data-driven decision support can prevent adverse events and system inefficiencies
🚀 Effective change management, cross-disciplinary partnerships, and clear return on investment are critical for successful technology adoption in health settings
Timestamps
00:01: Introductions & Atidia Health overview
03:23: Preventable complications in perioperative care
09:57: Example: Patient risk identification with POP
12:29: Integrating technology with clinical workflows
16:35: Role and limits of AI in healthcare
25:43: Large-scale implementation & change management
32:28: Lessons in partnership for healthcare leaders
Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.
If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes
And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps.
Mentioned in this episode:
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
...more
37min
May 11, 2026 606 - Consumer Engagement Done Right: Designing Digital Health Experiences With Consumers
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Shelley Thomson, Co-Founder and Director of the Patient Experience Agency and host of the Consumer Health Partnerships podcast.
They explore what genuine consumer engagement looks like in healthcare and digital health, why it is often missing, and how organisations can move beyond basic feedback towards meaningful, ongoing partnerships with patients and consumers.
The conversation unpacks the gap between how healthcare is designed and how it is actually experienced, highlighting how patients move across multiple services and touchpoints while systems often remain siloed.
Peter and Shelley discuss why many digital health solutions still miss the mark by focusing on workflows and technology rather than lived experience, and why honest, open feedback is both essential and difficult to capture in practice.
They also examine the difference between consultative feedback and true collaboration, and why engagement must be continuous rather than treated as a one-off activity.
This episode offers a grounded look at how healthcare organisations can build consumer engagement as a core capability, creating more connected, effective care that better reflects what matters most to the people it serves.
Key Takeaways
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Consumer engagement is about genuine partnership, not just surveys or one-off feedback.
🧭 Building organisational capability is needed—consumer engagement is an ongoing practice, not an add-on.
🌏 Digital health solutions often focus on workflows or tech and miss the lived experience of patients.
🔑 Honest feedback requires safe environments for open conversations with all stakeholders.
🗺️ Patient journey mapping helps identify real issues that sit between services, not just within them.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
01:12 - Shelley Thomson’s background & role
02:21 - Defining consumer engagement
04:02 - Why it’s often missing
06:16 - Measuring what “good” engagement is
09:30 - Recruiting the right people
13:12 - Common challenges in engagement
18:05 - How to start: practical strategies
19:59 - Real-world example: dementia journey
22:35 - About Consumer Health Partnerships podcast
Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.
If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes.
And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps.
Mentioned in this episode:
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
...more
27min
May 07, 2026 605 - The Cost of Care: Improving Transparency and Access in Australian Healthcare
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Jakomi Mathews, founder and CEO of Goto.health, about the role of technology in improving price transparency, payment workflows, and access to healthcare services for both patients and clinics across Australia
The conversation explores how gaps in pricing visibility and payment processes continue to shape patient behaviour and clinic operations, and why these challenges persist despite broader conversations around health system reform.
The discussion delves into the origin story behind Goto.health and the real-world experiences that highlighted the need for a more transparent and predictable approach to healthcare payments.
It also examines the growing impact of affordability pressures on patients, including delayed care and the risk of bill shock, as well as the operational inefficiencies faced by clinics in managing cancellations, no-shows, and inconsistent cash flow.
Beyond these challenges, the episode looks at how digital payment models inspired by other industries can streamline booking and payment processes across different care settings.
It also considers broader implications for the healthcare ecosystem, drawing on insights from both Australian and international approaches, and highlights emerging innovations that aim to create a more connected, efficient, and patient-centred healthcare experience.
Key Takeaways
🩺 Price transparency and accessibility remain major barriers to healthcare; nearly 50% of Australians delay or cancel care due to affordability
💳 Goto.health uses a model similar to Uber for healthcare payments, guaranteeing clinic payments and reducing cancellations or no-shows
📈 The current healthcare SaaS booking incumbents are still only capturing a small fraction of medical appointments in Australia
🦷 The Australian healthcare landscape has significant cost variance, especially in dental care, driving some patients to seek treatment overseas
🌏 Regulatory trends are pushing for mandated price transparency, both in Australia and in the US, influencing Goto.health’s roadmap
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction & background
00:47 – Goto.health origin story
02:05 – Clinic workflow challenges
03:18 – Price transparency impact
07:41 – Out-of-pocket healthcare costs
12:02 – Benefits for clinics and patients
15:13 – Goto.health’s product in action
18:07 – Scaling the model & group implementations
21:08 – Payment integrations and industry challenges
23:29 – Roadmap and international expansion
25:45 – Market context and platform growth
Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.
If you’re enjoying the show and want access to exclusive healthtech discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealth.tech/solo_shownotes.
And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps.
Mentioned in this episode:
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit
Explore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.
...more
32min

FAQs about Talking HealthTech:

How many episodes does Talking HealthTech have?

The podcast currently has 665 episodes available.