MediRecords Wrap-Up 2024
 
 

December 20, 2024

Let's Wrap Up 2024!


Matthew Galetto - Founder and CEO

As we close out 2024, I want to express my appreciation to the MediRecords team for their hard work and dedication, and to our partners and especially our customers for their continued trust and support. This year has been a meaningful one, with progress that reflects our commitment to innovation and healthcare interoperability.

Driving Interoperability with FHIR

This year, we continued to lead the way in implementing Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standards. By adopting FHIR, we’ve enabled more seamless and secure data sharing across healthcare systems, improving patient care and operational workflows.

Innovation

We worked with CSIRO to develop FHIR-compliant Smart Forms, starting with the Falls Risk Assessment, which allows for faster deployment of clinical tools to support better health outcomes. Our collaboration with Heidi Health brought the Heidi AI Scribe into our platform, helping clinicians manage documentation more effectively and freeing up time for patient care.

Expanding Integration Capabilities

Through our Connect platform, we’ve expanded our suite of APIs, making it easier for healthcare applications to integrate and share data. These tools are designed to support safer, more coordinated care in a digital health environment. Many of our customers have used these APIs to create tailored patient experiences, showcasing the flexibility and capability of our platform.

Looking to 2025

As we move into the new year, we will build on this year’s achievements by deepening our work in FHIR, introducing more AI-driven features, and strengthening our collaborations with partners and, most importantly, our customers. A key focus will be on streamlining critical workflows to enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. We also plan to expand our premium features, including group appointment and consultation flows, organizational-level referral and diagnostic request management, clinical and business intelligence reporting, custom fields, admissions, and case management.

Our unified healthcare platform—Care, Connect, and Engage—is making a difference. By supporting customers in growing their businesses, integrating with their systems, and enabling patients to stay connected with their clinics and doctors, we’re helping build stronger, more scalable healthcare solutions.

Season's Greetings

On behalf of everyone at MediRecords, I wish you and your families a safe and restful holiday season. To our customers, thank you for your continued support and trust—you are at the heart of everything we do. We look forward to working with you in 2025.

Warm regards, 

Matthew 

More from the Blog

Looking to stay updated with the latest from MediRecords?

Sign up to the newsletter

    MediRecords Wrap Up 2023
     
     

    December 21, 2023

    Let's Wrap Up 2023!


    Matthew Galetto - Founder and CEO

    As the festive season of Christmas approaches, I want to say a big thank you to every member of the MediRecords team for their exceptional efforts this year. I would also like to thank our partners and, most importantly, our customers for their continued support.

    2023 has been a significant year for MediRecords. We have focused on a mission to be the number #1 trusted partner connecting clinicians, partners and patients, delivering exceptional customer value. We have renewed our large-scale contracts and continue to execute complex, impactful projects. In parallel, we have been helping a growing list of clinics modernise their businesses by transitioning to our technology to meet the demands of an evolving world.

    This year, we proudly unveiled our “Care, Connect, Engage” strategy, reinforcing our commitment to being the premier digital health partner of choice.

    Key to our progress this year was the launch of MediRecords 2.0, a major milestone in our journey. This upgrade introduced innovative features like complex case management, custom worklists, on-demand email, and advanced ordering workflows for medications, referrals, and diagnostic tests. Additionally, we strengthened our position in the market with our leading FHIR connectivity, enabling our customers to offer unique digital experiences through API integrations.

    The MediRecords team has been diligently developing our Inpatient Admissions module that complements our Primary Care (Outpatient) module, creating a complete and comprehensive longitudinal health record. We are super excited to deliver this to market in 2024, with our first customers getting early access as part of our beta program starting in January.

    Next year will also see our new patient engagement platform launch, which will replace our current mobile application. We look forward to sharing more information in coming months.

    Moreover, we’ve established a flexible deployment capability, giving our enterprise customers more options and control over how MediRecords might operate within their organisation.

    Season's Greetings and Looking Ahead

    On behalf of the entire MediRecords team, I extend our warmest wishes to you and your loved ones. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s holiday break. Stay safe, relax, and enjoy your time with friends and family. We look forward to seeing you again next year.

    Kind regards, Matthew.

    More from the Blog

    Looking to stay updated with the latest from MediRecords?

    Sign up to the newsletter

      What are the keys to embedding telehealth into your practice?

      October 6, 2023

      What are the keys to embedding telehealth into your practice?

      A new US study has identified reasons that some primary-care practices were better able than others to adapt to the surge in the demand for telemedicine during the pandemic.

      We wanted to know if the Australian experience was the same, so we asked our telehealth partner, Coviu.

      The study of 87 US practices, in the Annals of Family Medicine, found key factors were:

      • Prior experience with virtual health, such as knowing the importance of grouping telehealth visits together; and
      • Triaging rules, that is, clearly or not clearly knowing which patients could be treated virtually and which required an in-person visit 

      Coviu observed during the pandemic that primary-care practices, boosted by the rapid introduction of universal Medicare reimbursements for phone and video telehealth, were quick to adopt phone for telehealth, but were more reluctant to adopt video telehealth, according to CEO Silvia Pfeiffer.

      “This has remained the major approach to telehealth in primary care,“ Dr Pfeiffer said.

      “This trend persists despite the government’s push for the adoption of video and compelling evidence suggesting that, for many visits, video results in better outcomes than phone calls.

      “But for many primary-care services, phone telehealth is completely adequate, and for many patients without connectivity, phone is the only telehealth option.”

      Coviu confirmed that practitioners throughout the Australian healthcare system demonstrated greater adaptability to telehealth when it was already integrated into their practice model, such as in rural settings, or when it was part of their pre-pandemic strategy.

      “The absence of clear and consistent triage guidelines, especially early in the pandemic, contributed to the challenges faced by healthcare providers,” Dr Pfeiffer said.

      “Triage guidelines help determine which patients should receive in-person care, telehealth consultations, or home care, and their absence can lead to uncertainty and increased workload for clinicians.”

      She said when initially adopting telehealth during the pandemic, primary-care practitioners faced significant challenges including “unmet basic requirements, such as the absence of webcams or sufficiently powerful computers for telehealth”.

      “In addition, many GPs lacked adequate training on what could be accomplished through video telehealth.”

      Today, obstacles to wider adoption of telehealth include, “the stigma associated with video consultations, particularly among practitioners accustomed to in-person care”, Dr Pfeiffer said.

      “Slow change management within healthcare organisations hinders progress, with a perception that video visits are inferior to in-person appointments, which does not apply in all instances. For example, mental health advice often leads to better outcomes when delivered via video in the comfort of a person’s own home.

      “Reimbursements are still a challenge as the rules continue to change, causing confusion.

      “Misinformation about privacy and security concerns as well as regulatory requirements also loom, impacting patient trust.

      “Furthermore, inadequate training, both in technical software use and determining the clinical appropriateness of remote consultations, remains a hurdle.”

      Factors Coviu says lead to successful telehealth adoption include:

      1. Digital knowledge within practices that already had digital communication mechanisms set up with their clients.
      2. Practices that strategically integrated telehealth into their workflows and adopted technology to make this seamless
      3. Practices that prepared their staff with training on their virtual-care workflow
      4.  Adoption of triaging rules by clinicians, as proposed by industry experts such as the RACGP, and other industry bodies and federations.

      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. 

      More from the Blog

      Looking to stay updated with the latest from MediRecords?

      Sign up to the newsletter

        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. 

        More from the Blog

        Looking to stay updated with the latest from MediRecords?

        Sign up to the newsletter

          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. 

          More from the Blog

          Looking to stay updated with the latest from MediRecords?

          Sign up to the newsletter

            It’s a Yes from MediRecords for the Voice to Parliament
             

            August 8, 2023

            It's a Yes from MediRecords for the Voice to Parliament

            Tim Pegler

            Tim Pegler - Senior Business Development Manager

            MediRecords strongly encourages Australians to vote yes in the upcoming referendum for an Aboriginal Voice to Federal Parliament. 

            As a company committed to helping deliver better health outcomes for all Australians, MediRecords believes the Voice to Parliament is an essential step toward equity and justice for First Nations peoples and ‘closing the gap’ in indigenous health. 

            Closing the Gap

            Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have significantly worse health, education, employment, and economic outcomes, compared to the rest of the Australian population. 

            In 2008 the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) created the National Indigenous Reform Agreement to close the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, listing six key targets:

            • to close the life expectancy gap within a generation
            • to halve the gap in mortality rates for Indigenous children under five within a decade
            • to ensure access to early childhood education for all Indigenous four-year-olds in remote communities within five years
            • to halve the gap in reading, writing and numeracy achievements for children within a decade
            • to halve the gap for Indigenous students in year 12 attainment rates by 2020 and
            • to halve the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians within a decade.

            Progress against these and additional targets is reported to the Federal Parliament annually. Successive governments have committed to achieving equity, but the disparities remain dire. Closing the Gap data shows:

            • If you are born an indigenous woman your life expectancy is 75.6 years, compared to 83.4 for non-indigenous women. If you are an Aboriginal male, your life expectancy is 71.6 years compared to 80.2 for non-indigenous men.
            • In 2020, 94 per cent of non-indigenous babies are born with a healthy birthweight compared to 89 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies.
            • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are massively over-represented in our jails (2151.1 per 100,000 adult population in 2022, versus 15.7 per 100,000 non-indigenous people). Former federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten has said: “A young Aboriginal man of 18 in Australia is more likely to end up in jail than university”, a statement subsequently verified by researchers.
            • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are also more likely to have their children taken away (56.8 per 1000 children in out-of-home care in 2022 compared to 4.8 per 1000 for non-indigenous families). This is despite the Australian Human Rights Commission ‘Stolen Generations’ national enquiry, which handed down its findings in 1997.
            • In 2018-19, 8.4 per cent of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander females aged 15 years and over experienced domestic physical or threatened physical harm.
            • In 2021, 68.1 % of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 20-24 years had obtained a Year 12 or equivalent educational qualification, compared to 90.7 per cent of non-indigenous people aged 20-24.

            Deaths in custody are not included within the Closing the Gap goals. There have been more than 500 indigenous deaths in custody since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody handed down its report in 1991. The report contained 339 recommendations, many of which have not been implemented.

            Living by our values

            MediRecords’ core values state that we “act with integrity, actively listening to clients and colleagues and striving to improve health care delivery for our community”. The Closing the Gap data indicates government policies are either not improving health outcomes – or not doing so fast enough.

            We believe that empowering First Australians with the Voice to Parliament they have asked for is a way to enable more influence and input into policies that affect their lives. We support a “not about me, without me” approach to policy making.

            This is why we will be voting, ’Yes.’

            Referendum FAQS

            Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people want more say in the laws that affect them. In 2017, following consultations across Australia, the First Nations National Constitutional Convention delivered the powerful Uluru Statement from the Heart. One of the things the statement calls for is, “establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution”. It also states: “We seek constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country. When we have power over our destiny our children will flourish. They will walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country.”

            You can hear the full Uluru Statement, read by Indigenous community leaders, here:
            https://youtu.be/rWoIgPyQTK4

            The Australian Constitution is the primary set of rules that determine how Australia is governed. Our Constitution was introduced in 1901. The only way to update the Constitution is through a process known as a ‘referendum’. First, both houses of the Federal Parliament must endorse a change to the Constitution. A national vote is then held so the Australian people can say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the proposed change. A majority of voters in a majority of states and territories, AND a majority of voters nationally, must vote ‘yes’ for a referendum to succeed.

            While most previous attempts to change the Constitution have been unsuccessful, one of the successful ‘yes’ votes also involved Aboriginal people. Before 1967, the Constitution did not even acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander people were part of the Australian population. In the 1967 referendum, 91% of Australians, with a majority in every state or territory, voted to update the Constitution to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as part of Australia’s population, and empower the Commonwealth Government to make laws affecting them.

            The 2023 referendum is a vote on whether you support the Constitution being changed to establish a Voice to Parliament. You will be asked to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the following question:
            “A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”

            If successful, the following words will be added to the Constitution:

            Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
            S 129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

            In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

            1. There shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
            2. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
            3. The Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers, and procedures.

            As these words show, the proposed Voice does not give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people the power to make, alter or block national laws. The Voice just gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders a presence in parliament to offer advice and feedback on policies, based on their lived experience.

            The referendum on a Voice to parliament will take place on a date (yet to be announced,) between September and December this year. It is compulsory by law for all eligible Australian citizens aged 18 and older to enrol and vote in referendums.

            The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has published information on the referendum, including Yes and No arguments, here: Your official referendum 2023 pamphlet (aec.gov.au) The AEC also has a Disinformation Register.

            The following video discusses widespread misinformation on the Voice and is well worth watching: https://youtu.be/Nla61MfEtiY

            Further learning

            Archie Roach – ‘Took the Children away’: https://youtu.be/IL_DBNkkcSE

            Challenging Terra Nullius | National Library of Australia (nla.gov.au)

            It’s official — the Voice referendum is happening. Here’s what comes next – ABC News

            Megan Davis first read the constitution at age 12. Now she wants to change it to give her people a Voice to Parliament – ABC News

            Supporting the Voice makes for better health outcomes – WAPHA

            The Voice Design Principles – Uluru Statement from the Heart

            Together, Yes – First Nations Voice to parliament (togetheryes.com.au)

            Yes 23 – FAQs

            yes_-_our_voice_to_parliament_booklet.pdf (dca.org.au)

            References

            History of Closing the Gap | Closing the Gap

            Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enjoy long and healthy lives – Dashboard | Closing the Gap Information Repository – Productivity Commission (pc.gov.au)

            Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are born healthy and strong – Dashboard | Closing the Gap Information Repository – Productivity Commission (pc.gov.au)

            Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are not overrepresented in the criminal justice system – Dashboard | Closing the Gap Information Repository – Productivity Commission (pc.gov.au)

            Fact check: Are young Indigenous men more likely to end up in jail than university? – ABC News

            Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 0children are not overrepresented in the child protection system – Dashboard | Closing the Gap Information Repository – Productivity Commission (pc.gov.au)

            Bringing them home: The ‘Stolen Children’ report (1997) | Australian Human Rights Commission

            Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and households are safe – Dashboard | Closing the Gap Information Repository – Productivity Commission (pc.gov.au)

            Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieve their full learning potential – Dashboard | Closing the Gap Information Repository – Productivity Commission (pc.gov.au)

            ‘Beyond heartbreaking’: 500 Indigenous deaths in custody since 1991 royal commission | Indigenous Australians | The Guardian

            Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody | naa.gov.au

            Who We Are – our goal to improve the way healthcare is delivered (medirecords.com)

            Voice to Parliament – Reconciliation Australia

            Australian Constitution – Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

            The 1967 Referendum | AIATSIS

            Voice to Parliament – Reconciliation Australia

            Tim Pegler
            Tim Pegler - Senior Business Development Manager

            More from the Blog

            Looking to stay updated with the latest from MediRecords?

            Sign up to the newsletter

              A Missed Opportunity
               
               

              May 5, 2023

              A Missed Opportunity


              Matthew Galetto - Founder and CEO

              How the Australian Government Failed to Maximise the Potential of the GP Grants Program for Digital Health Adoption

              The Australian Government recently launched the Strengthening Medicare – General Practice (GP) Grants Program, allocating $220 million over two years to support general practices and eligible Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). The program aims to provide funding for improvements in patient access, support safe and accessible quality primary care, and enhance digital health capabilities.

              As an observer of the digital health landscape both as a consumer (patient) and participant as a software vendor, I was eagerly awaiting the unveiling of the GP Grants program. I was hopeful that the grants would finally start to address the pressing issues of our time – a need to modernise digital health infrastructure, both private and public, focusing on standards and real-time information exchange at point of care. These are not just my observations; just about everyone working in the industry understands these problems, including the government itself within health departments and at the Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA). And, of course, patients get it too. We all experience gross inefficiencies when we visit a doctor.

              Recently I learned from a colleague working at a primary health network (PHN), that no further details regarding the eligibility of the grant funding have been provided. The government has seemingly failed to establish eligibility criteria that effectively address the challenges faced by our healthcare system and specifically primary care and GP’s.  I don’t even think security of patient information is a requirement!

              Could have, should have – if only I had lobbied harder!

              Fast-tracking the benefits of a more connected healthcare system is crucial for improving patient care, reducing medical errors, and making healthcare more efficient. The adoption of Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) and other interoperability standards can enable seamless communication between different electronic health record systems, thus facilitating information exchange and collaboration among healthcare providers.

              Unfortunately, the current GP Grants Program does not set specific eligibility criteria that focus on the adoption of cloud, security, FHIR or other interoperability standards – not even clinical coding standards! As a result, the program risks missing a critical opportunity to substantially enhance digital health capabilities across GP practices.

              The government’s lack of focus on cloud services, security, FHIR and interoperability adoption is concerning, considering the many issues GP practices face due to siloed databases and technology platforms designed a couple of decades ago. The current state of healthcare data systems not only hinders efficient patient care but also creates additional administrative burdens on healthcare providers. By not setting clear eligibility criteria targeting these issues, the GP Grants Program will not bring about much-needed improvements in digital health and interoperability.

              Unfortunately, there is a history in the Australian healthcare industry for key stakeholders and decision makers to listen to the voice of the ‘market share’, rather than the innovators, start-ups and disruptors looking to make a difference. It’s a chicken and egg scenario, no market share equals no influence, no influence equals no change. If only I had lobbied harder for change!

              What could have been, should have been. Recommendations for Improvement

              To maximise the potential of the GP Grants Program, the Australian Government should have considered the following recommendations:

              1. Set clear eligibility criteria that prioritise funding for GP practices adopting cloud, security, FHIR and other interoperability standards to ensure a more connected healthcare system.
              2. Encourage collaboration between GP practices and technology vendors to develop innovative solutions that address the challenges of siloed databases and improve data sharing.
              3. Establish clear guidelines on how the grants can be used for enhancing digital health capabilities, including specific recommendations for addressing interoperability and data sharing challenges.
              4. Look to other jurisdictions like the US, which have successfully modernised their digital health ecosystem. The US implemented the 21st Century Cures Act in 2016 which was well funded, mandated standards, promoted innovation, stimulated research and development and encouraged the use and uptake of web-based API’s. This had the effect of uplifting an entire ecosystem and encouraging a raft of new digital health entrants.

              An Unintended Consequence: How the GP Grants Programme May Impede Digital Healthcare Reform

              While the additional funding provided by the GP Grants Programme is undoubtedly beneficial for practices, there is a valid concern that it may have unintended consequences.

              If practices invest grant money in outdated technologies, they essentially lock themselves into using these systems for the next 3-5 years, as assets typically depreciate over this period.

              This potential outcome of the GP Grants Program could have a perverse impact on the government’s ability to implement much-needed digital healthcare reforms. By inadvertently supporting continued use of outdated technology, the Program may slow the adoption of innovative solutions such as cloud, security, API’s, FHIR and interoperability standards. In turn, this could delay the realisation of a truly connected and efficient healthcare system, which is an urgent priority.

              It is disheartening to acknowledge that Australia is already lagging behind many other countries in terms of modern cloud-based digital health solutions. This funding, if not appropriately directed, will only serve to widen the gap between Australia and other nations leading the charge in healthcare innovation. The prospect of falling further behind should be a wake-up call for the government to re-evaluate the GP Grants Program and ensure it truly supports the advancement of digital health capabilities across the country.

              It is never too late!!

              More from the Blog

              Looking to stay updated with the latest from MediRecords?

              Sign up to the newsletter

                8 health-tech trends to watch in 2023
                 

                January 13, 2023

                8 health-tech trends to watch in 2023

                Tim Pegler

                Tim Pegler - MediRecords Senior Business Development Manager

                The pandemic years have been actioned-packed for health-tech. What have we learned and what can we expect from 2023?

                1. The cloud is (still) coming 

                Based on conversations with customers, the market is increasingly aware of the security and infrastructure benefits of shifting to cloud. So why is the transition so slow? Partly because the healthcare industry is often understaffed, time poor and therefore change averse. The good news is that those who embrace fresh and more flexible technology rarely look back.

                Speaking of shiny and new…

                2. Robots are here to help 

                Staff shortages due to illness, burnout and pandemic-related workforce changes necessitate doing more with less. We can expect automation to play a bigger role in repetitive tasks, and robots to play support and even investigative roles.

                Exhibit A: Robot dietitian RMC adds robot dietician (thetandd.com)

                Exhibit B: Robot meds Mayo Clinic picks up stake in startup making pill-sized robot (beckershospitalreview.com)

                Exhibit C: AI bed management NUHS’s AI platform predicts bed state 2 weeks in advance | Healthcare IT News

                Exhibit D: Robot cleaning crews Cameron employs robots to super clean facilities | Heraldrepublican | kpcnews.com

                The automation trend also means…

                3. Lock in telehealth

                Virtual and remote care are generally cheaper than hospital beds (How to implement a virtual ED in 10 weeks – Wild Health Summits : Connectivity) and more consumer friendly than queuing for in-person care (see The cost and carbon savings of telehealth, quantified (beckershospitalreview.com)). Virtual mental health care, in particular, appears to be cementing its role. However, digital literacy and equitable access to technology, including Internet coverage, can be barriers to care.  Successful virtual care hinges on having accurate information, tools and help whenever needed so…

                4. Maybe it’s time to make new friends

                Difficulty accessing developers and tight tech budgets mean partnering can be the faster (and cheaper) path to product enhancement, in contrast to D-I-Y builds. Which means…

                5. Interoperability is king

                Products designed for integration have a strategic advantage over those that have not committed to interoperability at their core. Speaking the same language helps and Fast Health Interoperability Resources (FHIR) (Welcome to the HL7 FHIR Foundation) are the way to future-proof your health tech. Another interoperability truth is…

                6. Clean data counts

                Making sense out of a hotchpotch of data dropped into a free-text box is time consuming and painful for data analysis. Storing information in a logical, consistent and correctly coded format (MediRecords uses SNOMED CT AU SNOMED CT-AU and Australian Medicines Terminology June 2022 Release | Australian Digital Health Agency) helps the data wranglers do their thing. Quality, clean, actionable data has value and needs to be kept safe because…

                7. Cyber attacks are on the rise

                US data shows ransomware attacks more than doubled from 2016 to 2021 (JAMA Health Forum – Health Policy, Health Care Reform, Health Affairs | JAMA Health Forum | JAMA Network). The UK and Australia are also under siege. Minimising risk is mandatory and, while no system is risk-free, cloud technology allows you to outsource security management and those never-ending software updates so you can concentrate on core business.  This is important because…

                8. Change is gonna come

                Australian governments are still exploring how to introduce systemic change following royal commissions into aged care and mental health services (Victoria). Royal commissions are ongoing into disability, and defence and veteran suicide. The Australian Digital Health Agency is promoting collaboration and reform. NSW is working on a Single Digital Patient Record (SDPR). Victoria is moving toward a health-information exchange system, connected to a statewide Mental Health Client Management System. Queensland is pursuing better health information connectivity and remote monitoring options. Tasmania has a digital transformation strategy underway. There are versions of virtual emergency departments emerging across Australia…

                Buckle up. 2023 could be a wild ride.

                About MediRecords

                MediRecords is a FHIR-enabled, true cloud clinical platform with ePrescribing and telehealth integrations. MediRecords supports GP, multidisciplinary and specialist clinics across Australia and is working with Queensland Health, the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department and the Australian Defence Force on innovative models of care delivery. Please book a demo if you’d like to discuss solutions for your business.

                Want to dive deeper? Further reading below:

                2023 predictions: Health tech suppliers give their verdict (digitalhealth.net)

                What health tech trends CIOs are focused on in 2023 (beckershospitalreview.com)

                Virtual everything, asynchronous care, sustainability: Healthcare innovation predictions for ’23 (beckershospitalreview.com)

                CMIOs on what to project for 2023 (beckershospitalreview.com)

                Digital Health Review of the Year 2022

                MR.R4.CORE\Home – FHIR v4.0.1 (medirecords.com)

                Report: Telehealth accounts for about 10% of outpatient visits | MobiHealthNews

                The King’s Fund interoperability report highlights relationships and tech (digitalhealth.net)

                Russian hacking group ‘KillNet’ targets US healthcare (beckershospitalreview.com)

                2023 forecast: 7 big-picture goals for hospital leaders (fiercehealthcare.com)

                Top 10 hospital and payer trends to watch in 2023 | Healthcare Finance News

                National Digital Health Strategy and Framework for Action | Australian Digital Health Agency

                Digital Health Transformation – Improving Patient Outcomes 2022-2032 | Tasmanian Department of Health

                DOH-Strategic-Plan-Nov-2022-update.pdf (health.qld.gov.au)

                victorias-digital-health-roadmap.pdf

                Single digital patient record set to deliver vastly improved patient experience | eHealth NSW

                More from the Blog

                Looking to stay updated with the latest from MediRecords?

                Sign up to the newsletter

                  MediRecords Unwrapped 2022
                   

                  December 21, 2022

                  Let's unwrap 2022


                  Matthew Galetto - Founder and CEO

                  I can’t believe it is that time of year again although, judging by the weather in Sydney, you could be forgiven for thinking it is winter!

                  2022 has been a stand-out year at MediRecords. I am very proud of what we achieved over the last twelve months.

                  We continue to lay foundations for success, focusing on our people and company-making initiatives across all areas of the business. The company has grown to a team of 140 capable, dedicated, and energised staff, all focused on our common goal – building a world class health technology business.

                  The year started off with a bang by signing the Australian Department of Defence JP2060 – Phase 4 contract, along with our partners and consortium leaders Leidos Australia.

                  We accelerated from there, growing the team and developing an array of new products and features in response to contracted work and customer feedback. Recently released items and features due for release in 2023 include:

                  We also set up two new offices, delivered four major releases to Leidos as part of JP2060 – Phase 4 and went live at Northern Health, where MediRecords is playing a vital role in the Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED). Our implementation at Northern Health includes what is likely the first FHIR-based integration between a hospital PAS (Patient Administration System) and an outpatient primary care solution – well done to all involved.

                  2023 is set to be another stand-out year

                  Other new features planned for 2023 include integrated payments in quarter two, more virtual care functionality, and a rapidly growing list of FHIR resources. Our lightweight EMR, complete with admissions and charting functionality creating a longitudinal patient record, will be available in quarter four. 

                  Care, Connect, Engage

                  On that note, MediRecords is getting a makeover with the launch of MediRecords 2.0. We have taken all our learnings over the last few years, listened to our customers, and applied that feedback – along with a healthy dose of innovation. Register your details for early access to MediRecords 2.0 news & previews here. 

                  Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

                  Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank all MediRecords staff and our valued customers for your support in 2022. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s holiday break. Stay safe, relax, and enjoy your time with friends and family. We look forward to seeing you again in 2023.

                  Merry Christmas.

                  Matthew

                  More from the Blog

                  Looking to stay updated with the latest from MediRecords?

                  Sign up to the newsletter

                    Health care reform: No gain without pain
                     

                    A fundamental failing of our health system

                    November 24, 2022

                    Health care reform:
                    No gain without pain

                    A shift to value-based care in Australia may be inevitable but is unlikely to be painless. This post is the first in a series looking at healthcare industry issues.

                    Australia has a unique set of problems to overcome, said David Rowlands, a member of the Roster of Digital Health Experts at the World Health Organization (WHO).

                    He told the October Wild Health Summit: “What we are seeing are symptoms of a fundamental failing of our health system.”

                    “Our health system was designed 50 years ago for problems of 50 years ago. (It) was not designed to deliver integrated, value-based care. It was designed to deliver episodic care.”

                    Episodic care is provided to patients who need treatment for an “episode” of care with a foreseeable “endpoint”. Examples include cases treated in hospital Emergency Departments.

                    The focus in Australia’s health care system, Mr Rowlands said, is on outputs, not outcomes.

                    Value-based care uses a model where providers, including hospitals and physicians, are paid based on patient health outcomes. Under value-based care agreements, practitioners are rewarded for helping patients improve their health, reduce the effects and incidence of chronic disease, and live healthier lives.

                    The “value” in value-based healthcare is paid after measuring health outcomes against the cost of delivering them.

                    In contrast, episodic care is paid on an activity-based or fee-for-service model measuring the amount of healthcare services delivered.

                    Mr Rowlands said tinkering with the system will fail. “After 50 years, it’s time for a review.” He said the Australian system needed independent, external experts to determine the way forward. He cited Lumos, a new partnership between the NSW PHNs and the NSW Ministry of Health, as an example of doing things differently.

                    Lumos generates insights into patients’ journeys across the health system and shares de-identified data from general practices with other health services to provide a comprehensive view of patient pathways.

                    Elisabeth Koff, the managing director at Telstra Health and immediate past secretary at NSW Health, said she had helped negotiate health agreements and most came down to money rather than a strategic approach to healthcare.

                    She said reform agreements focusing on outcomes had been negotiated but, “then we forget about them, and they sit on the shelf”.

                    While there had been progress in New South Wales around collaborative communities, Ms Koff said change would be slow as governments are focused on the short term and, “health care reform is hard… no pain, no gain”.

                    Tracey Johnson, the CEO and company secretary at Inala Primary Care, said Australia’s health system is run by “mini-empires”, each seeking individual advancement.

                    “We don’t have a healthcare system,” she said. “We have a profile-for-profit system.”

                    Inala reinvests any practice profits into patient care, but it was becoming difficult to provide affordable care when reliant on a $39 bulk-billing item.

                    Ms Johnson said General Practice should be considered a specialist form of medical care, given the knowledge and training required. This could provide access to a wider range of Medicare-funded billing items.

                    Ms Johnson pointed to the role GPs play in taking pressure off overcrowded hospitals. “Data shows where patients visit their GPs more, there were fewer hospital admissions… Comprehensive care works.” 

                    MediRecords is used by general practitioners, specialists, multidisciplinary clinics and hospitals across Australia. The MediRecords electronic health records platform features embedded SNOMED CT-AU coding and is designed for interoperability using FHIR and APIs. MediRecords is currently developing additional functionality to support team case management and value-based care.

                    Article originally published by Wild Health and written by Dr Leon Gettler on behalf of MediRecords.

                    If you are interested in learning more about MediRecords’ functionality to support team case management and value-based care, book a demo below. 

                    Book a demo

                     

                    References: 

                    Wild Health Summits: No greater time to align our digital health strategy with our health reform agenda – Wild Health Summits : Connectivity

                    Lumos (nsw.gov.au)

                    Digital health (who.int)

                    More from the Blog

                    Looking to stay updated with the latest from MediRecords?

                    Sign up to the newsletter