Talking HealthTech

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Sean Walker, CTO of Alcidion, about the role of AI in healthcare software development, the architecture behind Alcidion’s Miya Precision platform, and how thoughtful AI adoption is helping improve outcomes for both clinicians and patients.
The conversation explores how healthcare software is evolving, from the importance of getting foundational architecture right through to building systems that can scale and adapt as clinical needs change.
They also unpack how AI is being used in practice, not just as a clinical support tool, but as a way to accelerate development, streamline workflows, and enhance the way software is designed and delivered.
Along the way, the discussion highlights the balance between speed and responsibility, the growing role of regulation, and why keeping clinicians involved remains critical to building trust in AI-driven systems.
This episode offers a grounded look at where AI is making a real impact today, and what it takes to build healthcare technology that is both innovative and safe.

Key Takeaways
🚀 Building strong software foundations is essential for scaling and integrating advanced capabilities like AI and large language models.
💡 Distinct uses of AI exist: both in software development processes and as clinical decision support tools.
👥 Keeping humans in the loop is critical for maintaining trust and reliability in clinical AI applications.
🛠️ Skills like context engineering and agentic workflows are becoming necessary, beyond simple prompt engineering.
🌐 Registered and codified AI tools, such as Alcidion’s concept detection, enable more robust clinical data and contribute to improved patient outcomes.

Timestamps
01:12 — Introduction to Alcidion and Sean’s role
03:06 — Approaching platform architecture in healthtech
06:30 — Disruptive AI capabilities and transformations
10:22 — AI’s impact on software development workflow
19:49 — Outcomes for clinicians and patients
23:48 — TGA certification and concept detection
28:09 — Human-in-the-loop for clinical AI
34:08 — Future-ready software developer skills

Check out the episode and full show notes on the Talking HealthTech website.
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In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Dr Max Mollenkopf is joined by Dr Tom Kelly to unpack the evolution of Heidi, an AI-powered clinical documentation tool, from its early experimentation in general practice to its growing presence across health systems globally.
The conversation traces the realities of building in digital health, including early missteps, product pivots, and the challenge of finding meaningful product-market fit in a complex and highly regulated environment.
The discussion goes beyond surface-level AI hype to examine how tools like Heidi are being shaped by real clinical workflows.
It explores the practical challenges of integrating with existing practice management systems, navigating regulatory frameworks across different regions, and competing in an increasingly crowded international market.
There is also a focus on the rise of AI-powered clinical scribing, the role of large language models, and how these technologies are changing the day-to-day experience of clinicians.
Alongside the technical and commercial considerations, the episode reflects on broader questions facing the sector, including safety, interoperability, and the cost of scaling AI in healthcare.
It also looks ahead to emerging use cases such as real-time evidence retrieval and patient-facing applications, offering a grounded perspective on where AI is delivering value today and where it may have the greatest impact in the future.

Key Takeaways
✨ Product evolution and lessons learned Heidi started as a triage and workflow automation tool and shifted focus to clinical AI scribing in response to market needs and advancements in AI models.
💬 Integration and interoperability challenges Integrating with practice management systems remains complex and highly dependent on regional vendors and technical standards, highlighting the ongoing struggle for efficient interoperability in healthcare.
🌍 Global competition and expansion Heidi's growth strategy and competition vary by country, with different primary competitors in Australia, the UK, and North America, and a keen focus on clinician-centric product development.
🛠️ Regulation and medical device territory AI-based clinical tools like Heidi must constantly reassess their compliance with evolving software as a medical device rules, which differ across international markets.
🤝 Feedback-driven design Heidi’s freemium model enabled rapid feedback loops from clinicians, shaping product features and spurring adoption in both individual practices and enterprise hospital deals.

Timestamps
00:00 Heidi’s origins and early pivots
03:37 Traction and barriers to product adoption
09:01 Pivot to AI-powered scribing
14:11 Drivers of Heidi’s growth and market position
18:56 Competitors in each market
22:45 Evidence product launch and vision
29:17 Software as a medical device, regulatory lines
37:37 Relationships with PMS providers
44:16 Interoperability barriers and national health records
52:13 The cost of AI in clinical tools
54:40 Expanding to communications and voice products
57:32 Consumer-facing applications and future directions
59:59 Will AI replace clinicians?

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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.
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In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Kate Ebrill, Grahame Grieve, Dr Chris Moy, Dr John Lambert, Sandra Cook, Dr Jill Freyne, Professor Brett Sutton, and Professor Mark Braunstein about data standards, information exchange, and implementation challenges in Australia’s digital health sector.
The discussion explores the Sparked Initiative and its co-design approach to developing national standards, with a focus on creating consistent, secure, and meaningful ways to share health information.
The episode also examines what it takes to move from policy into real-world implementation, including the role of infrastructure, vendor engagement, and support for different parts of the health system.
Emerging technologies such as AI and FHIR are considered in the context of improving data quality, enabling interoperability, and shaping how health information is created, shared, and used.
Across the conversation, contributors provide insights from clinical practice, technical architecture, and national strategy, offering a grounded view of the opportunities and challenges ahead as Australia continues to build a more connected and effective digital health ecosystem.
This episode was recorded at the Sparked Community co-design workshops in Hobart, an event dedicated to accelerating the creation and development of national FHIR standards for health information exchange in Australia.
Key Takeaways
✨ Nationally aligned data standards are essential for enabling safe and scalable digital health innovation across Australia, with implementation and policy alignment now the main focus
💬 Sparked focuses on co-design, ensuring data standards are fit for purpose for all Australians through direct engagement with clinicians, consumers, industry, and government
🤝 The need for high-quality, standardised data is becoming more urgent as AI adoption increases; clean inputs lead to more reliable outputs
🚀 Infrastructure like HealthConnect Australia and a national FHIR repository are being developed to support ecosystem-wide adoption
🔄 Tasmania is positioned as an effective testbed for state-scale implementation due to its system structure, highlighting a path for broader national rollout
Timestamps
00:00 – Kate Ebrill, Sparked Lead: Event introduction and national objectives
03:26 – Grahame Grieve, HL7 FHIR product director: A history and outlook on FHIR development
04:54 – Dr Chris Moy, Clinical Co-lead: Clinician and consumer engagement
05:25 – Dr John Lambert, Chief Clinical Information Officer, Tasmania: State-scale implementation
06:25 – Sandra Cook, Connected Care, ADHA: National implementation infrastructure
07:33 – Dr Jill Freyne, Amazon Web Services: Industry implementation momentum
08:14 – Professor Brett Sutton, CSIRO Health: Real-time data for clinicians and patients
09:23 – Grahame Grieve: Patient empowerment and AI
10:15 – Professor Mark Braunstein: The global context and FHIR adoption
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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
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In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch sits down with Emma Hossack, CEO of the Medical Software Industry Association (MSIA), to unpack the often overlooked role of software in keeping Australia’s healthcare system running.
The conversation explores how MSIA represents and supports the organisations building the digital infrastructure behind everyday care, and why their work is more critical than most people realise.
Peter and Emma dive into the origins and purpose of MSIA, its growing influence on health software policy, and how it is helping shape the governance of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
They also discuss the increasing weight of regulation, the tension between compliance and innovation, and the funding challenges facing local software providers.
The discussion offers a practical look at the people and systems working behind the scenes, and why stronger collaboration between government, industry, and clinicians will be essential for the future of digital health in Australia.

Key Takeaways
💡 Over 95% of Australian healthcare operates on MSIA member platforms, making their work foundational to the sector.
🔗 MSIA acts as a bridge between industry and government, shaping and supporting health software policy and regulation.
🧑‍💻 Artificial intelligence in health tech is a major focus, with MSIA developing a voluntary code for unregulated products and leading industry-wide collaboration on AI governance.
📊 Regulatory compliance demands have increased significantly, with some software providers now spending up to 80% of their effort on meeting these requirements.
🤝 MSIA facilitates collaboration, networking, and knowledge sharing through events, monthly member sessions, matchmaking, and support for overcoming industry roadblocks.

Timestamps
00:01 — Introduction to MSIA
04:00 — Industry impact and membership
07:00 — COVID-19 response and digital prescribing
12:41 — AI in healthcare and MSIA’s voluntary code
19:40 — Regulation vs. innovation in development
26:11 — Funding, training, and recent challenges
38:37 — Upcoming priorities and activities

Links and Resources:
The MSIA Voluntary Guide on responsible use of AI - Read More Here
The MSIA 2025 Productivity Brief to Government - Access Here

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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
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.

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, Peter Birch speaks with Casey Going, founder of MBSPro and a rural GP, about the evolving landscape of general practice and the growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare.
The conversation explores the operational pressures facing rural clinics, including workforce shortages, financial constraints, and the realities of delivering care outside metropolitan areas.
It also unpacks how technology is being used in real clinical settings, from streamlining administrative tasks to supporting patient triage and improving Medicare billing processes.
Broader themes around practice sustainability, recruitment, and the shift towards larger, more specialised clinics are examined, alongside the opportunities and challenges that come with adopting new digital tools.
The episode offers a grounded look at how innovation is shaping primary care today, and what the future may hold for practice owners navigating a rapidly changing environment.

Key Takeaways
🩺 Operational pressures drive tech adoption: Rural clinics face significant recruitment and financial challenges, making technology and AI tools essential for streamlining processes and reducing overhead.
🤖 AI enhances efficiency, not replaces staff: Technology is being implemented to reduce cognitive load and repetitive tasks among staff, allowing people to focus on more value-adding activities, not eliminating jobs.
💸 Medicare funding misconceptions: Medicare offers rebates, not free care; financial sustainability for clinics requires careful billing and operational strategy as margins remain tight.
🏥 Future of general practice: Practices are likely to become larger and more specialised, with AI assistance and a shift toward two tiers of clinics—ultra-lean bulk billing models and comprehensive, tech-enabled fee-for-service clinics.
👥 Practice ownership advice: Aspiring owners should seek mentors beyond general practice and embrace technology and business principles from other industries for sustainable operations.

Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction & guest background
03:53 - Rural practice operational pressures
07:01 - Balancing clinical care, innovation, and sustainability
09:24 - AI implementation examples
14:11 - Medicare funding & misconceptions
16:41 - Predicted future clinic models
19:21 - Accreditation burden & compliance
23:16 - Financial sustainability of clinics
31:18 - Practical advice for practice owners
33:37 - Upcoming MBS Pro features

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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.