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

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FAQs about Talking HealthTech:

How many episodes does Talking HealthTech have?

The podcast currently has 666 episodes available.

Talking HealthTech episodes:

February 11, 2026 585 - Optimising Patient Flow: Mindset, Metrics, and Continuous Improvement for Hospital Leaders
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dr Paul Deffley and Nick White from Alcidion about their new handbook on improving patient flow within healthcare systems.
The conversation explores why the handbook has been released now, its intended audience, and how its concepts can support leaders and clinicians in enhancing the movement of patients through hospitals.
The discussion examines the current pressures facing hospitals, including rising patient demand, workforce challenges, and system inefficiencies, and considers why traditional approaches to patient flow are no longer sufficient.
Lessons from other industries are explored, highlighting how principles such as systems thinking and Lean methodology can be adapted for healthcare.
The episode emphasises the combination of real-time data, organisational culture, and continuous improvement as central to creating safer, more efficient, and patient-centred hospital systems.
Key Takeaways
✅ Patient flow is more than implementing digital solutions—real change requires cultural and behavioural transformation within health organisations
✅ Real-time, system-wide visibility is critical for effective patient flow management and making data-driven decisions
✅ Adopting approaches from other industries, like Lean principles, must be tailored to the unique clinical and operational environment of healthcare
✅ Measuring a broad range of indicators beyond standard KPIs (e.g., length of stay, outliers, medically ready to discharge) provides better insights and guides improvement
✅ Practical actions like shop floor engagement and prioritising system-wide visibility can drive immediate and meaningful change
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
00:47 – Who the handbook is for and its purpose
01:33 – Why address patient flow now
02:41 – The importance of system-wide visibility
03:39 – Practical tools from the handbook
05:29 – Comparing healthcare to other industries
07:52 – Customising industry methods for clinical environments
08:57 – Differentiating patient flow discussions from electronic patient records
10:46 – The challenge of demonstrating return on investment in patient flow initiatives
14:30 – Rethinking metrics for measuring success in patient flow
17:27 – Actions health leaders can take today
19:01 – Actionable advice for immediate implementation
20:25 – How to access the handbook
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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.
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.
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
24min
February 09, 2026 584 - The Next Wave of Healthcare Payments: Integration, Transparency & Trust
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Pete Williams, CTO of Tyro Health.
The episode explores the evolution of healthcare payments, including the transition from Medipass to Tyro Health and the latest trends in digital wallets.
It also covers the practicalities of surcharging, regulatory changes, integrated payment solutions, and the potential impact of technologies like stablecoin and PayTo on medical payments for clinics and patients in Australia.
Peter and Pete break down what these changes mean for clinics of all sizes, from day-to-day operations to long-term strategy.
They discuss how seamless payment experiences can improve efficiency, reduce errors, and enhance patient satisfaction, while also highlighting the risks and challenges practices face in a fast-moving digital payments landscape.
The conversation offers practical insights, real-world examples, and a forward-looking view of where healthcare payments are heading.
Key Takeaways
💳 The shift to digital wallets has reshaped payments in healthcare, with over 90% of card-present transactions now happening via Apple Pay, Google Pay, or similar options.
🔁 Surcharging remains a significant consideration for clinics, with around 40% of medical businesses enabling it, though regulations may change.
📲 Integration between payment systems and practice management platforms is now common, driving efficiency with over 70% of clinics automating their payment and reconciliation workflows.
🪙 Emerging payment innovations such as programmable money and advanced bank-to-bank systems like PayTo have the potential to change how recurring and complex healthcare payments are managed.
🏦 Less than 35% of overall healthcare payments are processed through Medicare, making integration with private insurers and funders increasingly critical for clinics.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
00:31 – Changes since Medipass and acquisition by Tyro Health
01:32 – Payment technology experiences in healthcare
02:46 – Growth of the Tyro Health team
03:18 – Clinic perspective on payments
04:36 – Impact of digital wallets
05:39 – Clinic decisions and recent regulatory changes
07:22 – Surcharging rules for debit vs credit cards
08:04 – Balancing payment convenience for patients
08:43 – Percentage impact of payment costs on clinic margins
10:03 – Integrating payments with practice management systems
10:52 – Automation and three-way matching in clinics
12:29 – Approaches to optimising payments
13:53 – Programmable money, stablecoin, and use cases
15:46 – Payment innovation and health system challenges
17:01 – Distributed autonomous organisations
17:21 – PayTo, direct debit, and recurring payments
20:37 – Integrating more funders and improving patient experience
22:29 – Wrap up and resources
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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.
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
26min
February 08, 2026 583 - Navigating Health Technology Assessments: Overcoming Barriers to Patient Access
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Associate Professor Colman Taylor and Alasdair Godfrey from HTANALYSTS about the evolving landscape of health technology assessment in Australia.
The conversation explores how regulatory change, patient engagement and real-world evidence are reshaping the way new technologies are assessed, funded and adopted.
It also examines the challenges health tech companies face when bringing innovation to market in Australia and across international settings.
They share practical insights into what these changes mean for innovators, clinicians and policy-makers navigating an increasingly complex system.
This episode looks at how value is defined beyond the limits of clinical trials. It also highlights why patient experience and practical implementation are becoming increasingly important in decisions about health technology.
Together, these insights offer a grounded and timely perspective on the forces shaping the future of Australian health technology.
Key Takeaways
🔍 The "valley of death" is a significant hurdle for Australian health tech innovators, where promising technologies struggle to secure funding and market access.
💡 Health Technology Assessment (HTA) frameworks are adapting to consider new dimensions such as equity, patient-centred outcomes, and system impact, beyond traditional cost and clinical effectiveness.
👥 Patient engagement is increasingly recognised as critical, with patients now actively involved in advisory boards and decision-making processes, offering perspectives beyond those of clinicians.
📊 Real-world evidence is helping to fill gaps left by clinical trials, providing insight into system readiness, implementation feasibility, and outcomes for diverse populations.
🌏 International policy changes, particularly from the US and UK, are influencing Australia’s HTA processes and impacting access to innovative therapies for patients.
Timestamps
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:02:05 – Overview of HTANALYSTS and their purpose
00:03:26 – The “valley of death”
00:05:56 – Explaining Health Technology Assessment
00:07:09 – Traditional metrics vs. evolving HTA frameworks
00:08:33 – Government reviews in HTA
00:10:46 – The role of patient engagement and inclusion in HTA
00:12:29 – Application of patient engagement
00:14:10 – Real-world evidence: its role and impact
00:16:27 – Faster access, data barriers, and implementation challenges
00:18:21 – Agility in assessment processes
00:20:09 – Examples of flexibility in healthcare guidelines
00:22:26 – What innovators can do now
00:23:47 – MFN policy changes in the US
00:26:07 – HTANALYSTS’ role as middlemen bridging stakeholders
00:27:15 – Lessons about collaboration, evidence, and early alignment
00:29:06 – Importance of implementation
00:29:55 – Future directions
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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.
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
February 04, 2026 582 - North Star vs Shiny Star: Supporting Healthcare Workers and Patient Outcomes with AI
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Dominique Powis, Chief Technology Officer at Infomedix, Dr John Lambert, Chief Clinical Information Officer for the Department of Health Tasmania, and Dr Jill Freyne, Health Industry Lead at Amazon Web Services.
They discuss the practical applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare and explore its real-world operational impact.
The conversation also includes insights from attendees during a live Q&A session, offering a unique opportunity to hear questions and challenges directly from healthcare professionals and technology leaders.
The panel dives into real-world use cases of AI, including diagnostics, predictive analytics, improving patient outcomes, and boosting administrative efficiency.
They also examine the critical importance of governance, privacy, and practical implementation when integrating AI into everyday clinical workflows.
This episode was recorded live at AWS in Sydney, Australia, and is supported by Infomedix, providing an up-close look at how healthcare AI is being applied in local and global contexts.
Key Takeaways
⭐ Clear problem definition, high-quality data, and context-specific solutions are crucial to successful AI applications in healthcare
🤖 Predictive AI currently offers proven impact in areas such as diagnostics and early detection, while generative AI introduces unique challenges
🧑‍⚕️ Human-centred design, usability, and workflow integration are critical to successful technology adoption and patient benefit
🔒 Privacy, compliance, and ethical guardrails must evolve with technological advancements, particularly in data handling and patient confidentiality
🌏 Sustainability, change management, and continuous improvement are essential considerations in deploying and scaling AI across the health ecosystem
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction & event overview
02:00 – Panellist introductions & AI use cases
06:35 – AI pattern recognition benefits
08:39 – Sniff test for viable AI solutions
10:23 – Administrative AI applications
12:45 – Impact opportunities: patient & clinician
14:28 – Administrative vs clinical AI focus
15:35 – Evidence and business cases for ambient scribes
20:06 – Guardrails and governance in AI
22:35 – Change management for AI rollouts
26:30 – Practical advice: North Star vs shiny distractions
32:09 – Audience Q&A: patient privacy, data use
37:39 – Use of AI in culturally diverse aged care settings
44:06 – AI risks, safety, technical guardrails
48:11 – Sustainability and long-term impact
----------
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
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.
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
February 02, 2026 581 - Advice and Guidance in Practice: Improving Equity and Outcomes for Patients and Clinicians
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with a panel of healthcare experts, including Stephanie Hodgson, physiotherapist, health project manager and industry PhD candidate at ConsultMed; Dr Shoma Dutt, paediatric gastroenterologist and senior staff specialist at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead; Dr Matthew Lam, GP and clinical advisor to ConsultMed at Riverstone Family Medical Practice; Charlie Winstanley, general manager of cardiovascular at Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Foundation Trust; and Dalia Croxton, senior project manager for digital health and business systems at Mater Group.
The conversation dives into the evolving role of advice and guidance (A&G) models in shaping patient outcomes, clinician workflows, and healthcare access across Australia and the UK.
The panel discusses practical benefits, such as reducing wait times, improving triage, and supporting GPs to manage complex cases more confidently.
Gain insights into how digital referral pathways and emerging technologies like AI are changing the way specialists and primary care providers collaborate.
This episode also highlights lessons learned, the importance of leadership and culture, and the challenges that remain in making A&G work effectively for both clinicians and patients.
Key Takeaways
👩‍⚕️ Advice and guidance (A&G) allows GPs and primary care providers to obtain timely specialist input without formal referrals, helping address outpatient waitlists and geographical inequities in access to care.
🚀 Examples from paediatrics, mental health, endocrinology, and other specialties show A&G resolves a significant proportion of referrals, keeping patients managed in primary care or redirecting them to more suitable services.
🌏 Both Australian and UK health systems are implementing A&G at scale, with New South Wales and Queensland adopting statewide models and the NHS seeing significant appointment diversion, reducing waiting times and improving resource use.
🤝 Effective A&G relies on streamlined workflows, bi-directional communication between primary and specialist care, clear referral criteria, and support for GPs as central care coordinators.
🤖 The future of A&G may include multidisciplinary expansion, integration with allied health, and advanced technology such as AI to improve efficiency and access for patients—while ensuring the focus remains on better outcomes and equity.
Timestamps
0:00 – Introduction
1:18 – Stephanie Hodgson defines advice and guidance
3:02 – Dr Shoma Dutt shares real-world impacts in paediatric gastroenterology
5:32 – Dr Matthew Lam describes case studies where A&G adds value and boosts equity
9:54 – Stephanie Hodgson discusses the impact of data and equity
13:01 – Dr Shoma Dutt on developing a statewide referral criteria
16:43 – Charlie Winstanley talks about A&G adoption
23:11 – Panel consensus on key ingredients for scaling A&G: leadership, technology, education, making it frictionless for GPs, and measuring impact
33:07 – Dalia Croxton on A&G transparency for patients
35:20 – Charlie Winstanley and Stephanie Hodgson explore future directions
40:21 – Dr Matthew Lam on keeping patient outcomes at the centre
-------
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.
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
44min
February 01, 2026 580 - Beyond Episodic Care: How Digital Health Platforms Transform Care Coordination
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Nalaka Withanage, CEO and co-founder of Data Capture Experts, the organisation behind the Digital Health Platform DC2Vue.
The discussion explores the fragmentation of data in healthcare and the importance of longitudinal care records.
They also examine the evolving role of digital health platforms compared to traditional EHRs, along with the opportunities and challenges associated with artificial intelligence and data governance in healthcare innovation.
Dive into the practical steps healthcare organisations can take to build strong data foundations, improve interoperability, and create workflows that truly support person-centred care.
The conversation also goes beyond the hype around AI, examining how real value emerges only when technology is underpinned by complete, accurate, and context-rich data.
Key Takeaways
🗂️ Data fragmentation in healthcare is a core challenge, often caused by the use of multiple, siloed systems across various care settings.
👩‍⚕️ Longitudinal care records provide a continuous, patient-centred view across different healthcare touchpoints, improving care coordination and outcomes.
🔑 Foundational data quality and integration are essential for enabling advanced analytics, artificial intelligence adoption, and workflow optimisation.
🔒 Privacy, consent management, and security, using principles like zero trust, must be embedded in digital health platforms to balance innovation with safety.
🚀 To unlock the full value of AI in healthcare, organisations should focus on strong data foundations, process-oriented thinking, and workflow automation before layering in advanced technologies.
Timestamps
00:00:00 — Introduction
00:01:25 — Why data fragmentation persists in healthcare
00:02:54 — What is a longitudinal care record
00:03:59 — Highlighting benefits of longitudinal health records
00:05:08 — Differences between Digital Health platforms and traditional EHRs
00:07:38 — The role of AI in digital health
00:11:12 — Balancing innovation with privacy, security, and governance
00:14:04 — Key advice for healthcare CIOs on leveraging data and AI
00:15:14 — The roadmap for DC2 View and trends in virtual care and remote patient monitoring
———
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.
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
19min
January 29, 2026 579 - Scaling Predictive Healthcare: How No Code Platforms Drive Personalised Digital Therapeutics
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Leon Young, CEO and Founder at Cogniss, and Dr Frank Iorfino, Associate Professor at the Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney.
The discussion focuses on no-code health technology platforms, digital mental health solutions, and the challenges and opportunities in delivering predictive and preventative healthcare, particularly in youth mental health.
The episode covers Cogniss' evolution, the role of digital and predictive tools in healthcare systems, and real-world applications in clinical research and practice.
The conversation offers insights into how health professionals can use no-code platforms to build, refine, and scale digital solutions, the importance of personalisation in mental health care, and the ways predictive analytics can identify risks and support early intervention.
It also examines the barriers to scaling innovation in health systems and how collaborative approaches are helping to bridge the gap between pilots and broader implementation.
Practical examples of digital health tools in action are highlighted, from apps supporting youth mental health to predictive solutions for conditions such as sepsis and chronic illness.
Key Takeaways
✨ No-code technology enables health professionals and researchers to build, maintain, and scale digital health solutions more efficiently, reducing development costs and barriers to market entry.
🤝 Effective prediction and early intervention in healthcare, particularly mental health, require accessible digital solutions that can personalise care, track outcomes, and help prevent illness escalation.
📱 Real-world applications, such as using wearables and health data integration for predictive models, are being developed for youth mental health and chronic conditions like cancer and autoimmune diseases.
🔗 The challenge of delivering digital therapeutics at scale stems from complex procurement, a lack of clear ownership in health systems, and the need for unified infrastructures that support solution interoperability and patient data control.
🌏 Initiatives like Ripple aim to support priority populations and address gaps in digital health by building a catalogue of evidence-based solutions targeted to specific health challenges, such as women’s health and youth mental health.
Timestamps & Main Topics
00:00 Introduction
01:08 Leon Young introduces himself and Cogniss
02:57 Dr Frank Iorfino shares his experience in youth mental health and digital solutions
04:08 Discussion on the importance of early intervention
06:21 The vision for predictive tools
08:28 Dr Frank Iorfino explains the Mind Your Mind app
10:54 Researcher challenges and the value of no-code platforms
13:01 Adapting no-code solutions beyond white-labelled apps
14:09 Growing the platform through demand-driven development
17:03 The need for infrastructure that can deploy multiple digital solutions
19:49 Areas of highest potential for predictive healthcare technologies
20:36 Examples of predictive health projects
22:12 Dr Iorfino expands on why youth mental health is a pressing priority
24:51 Barriers to scaling predictive and preventative healthcare solutions
26:11 Developing a marketplace approach to better match innovations
30:37 Closing remarks and how to connect with Cogniss
----
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.
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
34min
January 29, 2026 578 - The Passwordless Future of Healthcare: Lessons from Imprivata’s Implementation Journey
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch sits down with Brad Gwyther, Principal Consultant at Imprivata, to explore the evolving landscape of secure access and identity management in clinical settings. The conversation focuses on the New Zealand healthcare ecosystem while highlighting trends and challenges that resonate globally.
Brad and Peter discuss the daily struggles clinicians face with password management, the risks of weak access controls, and the impact of inefficient authentication on both patient safety and clinical workflow.
They also examine modern approaches to secure access, including passwordless authentication, biometric logins, single sign-on, and mobile device management.
These solutions can streamline clinical workflows while maintaining rigorous security and meeting audit requirements.
The discussion also delves into practical lessons for implementing authentication solutions across desktop and mobile environments, addressing the complexities of shared workstations, roving staff, and multiple applications.
This episode was recorded live at the Imprivata booth during HiNZ Digital Healthcare Week in New Zealand, providing listeners with real-world examples of how hospitals are modernising access management to improve efficiency, accountability, and patient care.
Key takeaways
🔑 Password management and the shift towards passwordless authentication are key concerns in healthcare, due to multiple system access requirements
🩺 Implementing secure, efficient authentication methods that can help clinicians provide better patient care without interruption
🛡️ Security needs to be balanced with ease of access, tailored to different workflows and physical locations within healthcare facilities
📱 Mobile device management and secure shared device usage are becoming increasingly important as clinical mobility grows
🌏 The drive towards efficient, secure access is a global issue, with maturity and practices varying across organisations, but a common goal shared worldwide
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
00:50 – Brad Gwyther explains his role at Imprivata
01:25 – Needs of Imprivata’s customers in New Zealand
02:52 – Balancing security and ease of use in clinical authentication
04:01 – Passwordless authentication and ongoing challenges
05:55 – Implementation process
07:18 – Integrating clinical applications and systems
08:36 – Mobile device management and traceability
09:44 – Global challenges in secure access for healthcare
11:15 – Innovations in authentication and aligning tech with clinical workflows
___
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.
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
15min
January 21, 2026 577 - Hybrid and Digital Care: Balancing Technology, Regulation, and Human Touch in General Practice
In this audio-only episode of Talking HealthTech, Dr Max Mollenkopf, a Newcastle GP and practice owner, speaks with Tim Doyle, founder and CEO of Eucalyptus, about the evolution and future of primary care in Australia.
The discussion explores Eucalyptus’s digital health model, how it is changing patient experiences, supporting clinicians, and connecting with traditional general practice.
The conversation covers key challenges facing healthcare today, including continuity of care, regulatory considerations, clinician engagement, and the shifting expectations of patients in a digital era.
They share candid insights on scaling digital clinics, balancing technology with human connection, and the opportunities and limitations of hybrid care models.
This episode offers practical perspectives on how digital and traditional care can work together, the evolving role of the GP, and what the next generation of Australian healthcare may look like.
Key Takeaways
🩺 The rise of digital-first clinics is changing how patients interact with primary care, focusing on convenience and continuity through technology.
👩‍⚕️ Clinician independence and quality assurance, including pre-screening and audit systems, are central to responsible digital healthcare delivery.
💡 Patient engagement is evolving, with increased demand for more data, self-ownership of health, and a desire for ongoing support beyond traditional appointments.
💬 The lines between wellness, primary care, and marketplace health products are blurring, raising questions around clinician roles, value, and regulation.
🔗 Integrating digital and in-person (hybrid) care paths is viewed as essential for the future, with attention to necessary safeguards, incentives, and patient consent.
Timestamps
00:00 — Introduction
00:36 —Dr. Max Mollenkopf on panel experiences and challenging ideas
02:02 —Tim Doyle explains Eucalyptus’s origins and vision
06:11 — Addressing continuity, fragmentation, and care platforms
13:29 — Access to health information and regulatory challenges
17:33 — Business models, clinician obligations, and monetisation
24:45 — Regulation, industrial standards, and cannabis clinics
26:58 — Quality audits and the role of technology in large-scale care
32:23 — Value in care, rebates, and consulting models
37:00 — The intersection of wellness, screening, and preventative health
42:38 — A hybrid model for future healthcare
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.
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
46min
January 19, 2026 576 - Exploring Healthcare in Space: How Extreme Environments Shape Healthcare Innovation
In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch sits down with Dr Vienna Tran, Professor Gordon Cable, and Dr Lisa Brown to explore the fascinating intersection of healthcare and space.
The discussion focuses on space medicine and how clinicians care for astronauts living in microgravity, exposed to radiation, and operating far from Earth’s hospitals.
Learn about the unique challenges of human physiology in space, from fluid shifts and bone loss to immune changes and heightened cancer risks.
The panel also examines how technologies developed for astronauts, including wearable health monitors, AI-driven diagnostics, telemedicine systems, and on-demand medical tools, are now being adapted for remote and resource-limited healthcare settings on Earth.
The conversation highlights the parallels between rural healthcare in Australia and medicine in space, drawing on lessons from the Royal Flying Doctor Service and other innovative programs.
It also explores the role of international collaboration, cross-disciplinary research, and microgravity studies in shaping the future of both space missions and terrestrial medicine.
Key Takeaways
🚀 Space medicine is likened to extreme remote healthcare, highlighting autonomy and resourcefulness.
🧑‍🔬 Technologies originally developed for space, like telemedicine and imaging tools, now benefit rural healthcare in Australia.
🌱 Innovations such as plant growth research and pharmaceuticals in microgravity have Earth applications, impacting food security and medicine shelf-life.
🧠 Deep space missions require new psychological and physical support systems due to isolation and altered gravity.
🩺 Collaborative research in Australia and New Zealand is advancing knowledge in areas like organ health, gallstone formation, and cancer associated with space environments.
Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction
02:13 – Dr Vienna Tran
22:25 – Professor Gordon Cable
39:20 – Dr Lisa Brown
Want to keep the conversation going?
The full article and extended show notes for this episode are available inside the THT+ Community here:
View the 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.
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
58min

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The podcast currently has 666 episodes available.