Innovation that takes the stigma out of STI testing
 

September 25 , 2023

Innovation that takes the stigma out of STI testing

Approximately 30,000 Australians are using a revolutionary service that saves them from awkward face-to-face conversations with doctors about sexually transmitted infections

The service, Stigma Health, is part of Australia’s largest sexual health network specialising in online STI testing. And it uses MediRecords for patient records, appointment management, Medicare claiming and more.

Stigma Health eliminates embarrassment by removing the need for in-person clinical consultations and allowing consumers to get a non-confrontational STI-test pathology referral online then take it to any of the 10,000 pathology collection centres Australia-wide.

Australian data shows that one in 25 people aged 15-29 had chlamydia in 2021, but fewer than one third received a diagnosis. Additionally, 2,630 Australians are unknowingly living with HIV. Reluctance to be tested is likely to contribute to these statistics.

Stigma recommends STI testing whenever people have a new sexual partner — or every three months.

Founders James Sneddon and Dr. Mitchell Tanner believe strongly in the power of new technology for the greater good.

“We use MediRecords as it is a cloud solution, which is fantastic for our remote workforce,” the CEO, Mr Sneddon, said.

“Further, the MediRecords app is the most secure way to communicate and share results with our patients.

“The SMS-on-demand feature is also a fantastic communication/notification tool.”

Stigma Health has recently introduced telephone and video appointments.

“We are managing these with MediRecords appointments and the COVIU video platform, Mr Sneddon said.

“These appointments also carry Medicare claiming, which is simple with the MediRecords platform.”

“In my role as CEO of our group of clinics, MediRecords allows me operational transparency to understand our capacity, our efficiency and, best of all, our outcomes.

 “MediRecords’ facilitation of APIs and working towards keeping their system open and able to integrate is of huge value to our organisation,” Mr Sneddon said. 

Legal drug testing

In a world first, Mr Sneddon and Dr Tanner have also started harm-minimisation telehealth testing service for users of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) & performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs).

Also supported by MediRecords software, the service, Roidsafe, is a legal, judgment-free platform.

“Many steroid users rely on ad-hoc information from other users within their community,” the site noted.

“Regular Roidsafe testing gives you insight into how your body functions pre, during and post-cycle, so you can make informed decisions.”

It tests liver and kidney function, cholesterol levels and a range of hormone levels.

“Our platform is 100% confidential and more affordable than making multiple visits to your GP to gain a referral, plus follow–up appointments to get your results,” Roidsafe stated.

“Getting tested with us is easy. We deliver your online referral, you get tested at a local pathology clinic, and your results will be sent securely to your mobile phone.”

Read more about Stigma Health on their website. 

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    Mental health matters: Government initiatives and honouring R U OK? Day

    September 11, 2023

    Mental health matters: Government initiatives and honouring R U OK? Day

    September is a significant month for mental health awareness, with two significant events shining a spotlight on mental health in Australia and around the world: World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th and R U OK? On September 14th.

    These awareness days highlight the importance of mental health and the critical need for support. In this article, we’ll explore how the Australian government is taking meaningful steps towards strengthening mental health initiatives and our commitment to mental health.

    Government initiatives to promote mental health

    In the lead up to World Suicide Prevention Day, The Hon. Emma McBride MP, provided a statement reaffirming the Australian government’s commitment to mental health. This commitment reflects a broader strategy aimed at creating a mentally healthier Australia.

    Here are some key government initiatives:

    1. Research and innovation: Funding for research and innovative solutions is being channelled into developing more effective treatments and interventions. This ensures that mental health care continually evolves to meet the changing needs of the community.
    2. Accessible services: The government is working towards making mental health services more accessible, breaking down barriers that prevent individuals from seeking help. Telehealth and online support services are being promoted to reach those in remote or underserved areas.
    3. Workforce expansion: The government is investing in expanding the mental health workforce. This initiative will not only create job opportunities but also increase accessibility to mental health services across the country.
    MediRecords’ commitment to mental health

    This Thursday, MediRecords will honour R U OK? Day, which serves as a reminder that a single conversation can be a lifeline for someone battling mental health challenges. MediRecords is committed to this cause, understanding the immense value of connecting with others during their times of need.

    We also understand the importance of aiding mental health professionals in providing quality care to their patients. Our electronic health record and patient management system is designed to streamline administrative tasks, giving practitioners more time to focus on patient care. Through customisable templates, secure data storage, and user-friendly tools, we help mental health professionals simplify the documentation process.

    As we mark World Suicide Prevention Day and R U OK? Day this week, MediRecords stands with the government and the mental health community in prioritising mental health care. Together, we can create a brighter, more supportive future for mental health in Australia.

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      Untapped potential: Hybrid care benefits remain overlooked post-pandemic

      September 7, 2023

      Untapped potential: Hybrid care benefits remain overlooked post-pandemic

      Hybrid care — that is the mixed delivery of in-person and telehealth consultations by a clinic — is decreasing in Australia, according to leading telehealth platform Coviu.

      “This compares to a continued increase in the use of self-paid telehealth consultations with online-only GP services,” Coviu CEO Silvia Pfeiffer said.

      “The recent introduction of GP telehealth services by Woolworths for a fixed $45 rate is a clear example demonstrating what consumers want, but what their own GPs may not be delivering.”

      “While hybrid care is deemed the future of healthcare, we seem to be going in a direction where we are facing a segmentation of the industry into technology-only service providers and technology-averse service providers.”

      For hybrid care to function successfully, new reimbursement models and new models of care are necessary, Dr Pfeiffer said.
      Currently, most practitioners favoured the in-person attendance of patients, and patients did not feel empowered to ask for telehealth consultations, she said.

      “In a situation of clinician shortage where brick-and-mortar clinics have sufficient in-person patient traffic, there is very little incentive for the adoption of telehealth.

      “This will unfortunately lead to a continued reluctance of the adoption of hybrid care [and] lead to patients turning their backs on their own local GPs, instead seeking telehealth services from online-only providers.

      “This cannot be a desirable future.”

      Coviu’s position is that today’s Medicare reimbursements for telehealth consultations, “certainly are not designed to encourage the use of telehealth”, requiring an in-person visit at least once a year before patients become eligible for telehealth consultations.

      “This creates extra administrative burden on the practice, even discouraging practice administrators from offering telehealth consultations to patients,” Dr Pfeiffer said.

      “Better training and better triage rules for healthcare professionals, practice managers, administration staff, and nurses would certainly help to empower the industry with better telehealth capabilities.

      “It would address the technical capabilities gap in healthcare, the reluctance to video telehealth adoption, and facilitate necessary changes in patient pathways.”

      MediRecords has partnered with Coviu to streamline booking of video consultations with practice clients. Once your Coviu account is connected to MediRecords, any consultation nominated as a telehealth appointment auto-generates a link to the Coviu virtual consultation and your client is sent an invitation via SMS or email.

      MediRecords and Coviu are both Australian developed cloud-hosted health technology companies.

      Read more about Coviu on their website. 

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