In this episode of the MSIA Good Tech Podcast, we speak with Grahame Grieve, founder of HL7 FHIR, about international trends in healthcare interoperability, with a focus on the Australian landscape. Exploring which interoperability approaches are working, which are not, and what the next steps are for both software and frontline care.

Discussing the problems at the core of interoperability, including why FHIR was created and the progress made over the years. Talking on the ongoing challenges faced by clinicians and consumers, the importance of standards and governance, and the balance needed between innovation and conformity. Grahame gave insight into the differences between Australian and global initiatives, such as SPARKED and Argonaut, reflecting on the roles of government and industry, and the critical need to build technical and clinical capacity for future progress.

Key Takeaways:

• Interoperability in healthcare is a complex, ongoing process requiring agreement across thousands of elements, not just technical connections.
• A major challenge is that end-users of software (clinicians) are often not the purchasers, leading to misaligned priorities in solutions delivered.
• Effective standards necessarily limit flexibility for individual users to ensure broader societal benefits, which can be a source of frustration at the clinical level.
• Australia’s approach, driven by strong governance and community engagement, provides a solid model, though long-term technical capacity remains a limiting factor.
• The success of interoperability can be determined by which healthcare providers would be hampered if existing tools were taken away.

The MSIA Good Tech Podcast responds to hot health topics through expert commentary with practical working responses from industry. Each episode brings you expert commentary and practical insights from industry leaders and professionals. The MSIA addresses pressing health topics and offering tangible solutions. Our goal is to spotlight challenges, bridge gaps, and uncover opportunities that enhance healthcare standards. Whether you're a professional within health service delivery or committed to staying abreast of best practices in Australia, join us for a deep dive into critical issues like AI, aged care, interoperability, primary health care tools and more. With real-life case studies, we demonstrate how cutting-edge technology is transforming healthcare, one solution at a time.

This show is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

In this episode of the MSIA Good Tech Podcast, we speak with Grahame Grieve (Health Intersections), Jessica White (Best Practice), David Young (Healthlink), and Brad Porter (Orion Health) about the current state and future direction of interoperability in Australian healthcare, with a particular focus on new standards, integration challenges, and real-world implementation.

Covering the progress Australia has made in embracing interoperability, with initiatives such as the Sparked FHIR community and the transition to cloud-based systems. Case studies from leading software vendors reveal what is needed to deliver on interoperability, from practical governance and partnership frameworks to addressing the increased stress placed on vendors as new standards and requirements are introduced.

Key Takeaways:

• Australia is playing catch-up on interoperability but is making significant strides with strong community and government collaboration around standards like FHIR.
• Successful interoperability requires shared vision and coordinated investment between industry, government, and institutions.
• Vendors face challenges adapting products for variable and inconsistent integration requirements; common standards like FHIR will streamline this in future.
• Building trust and clear governance processes is essential for data sharing, privacy, and secure integration between healthcare providers and third-party partners.
• Change management and education for end-users often falls to software vendors, who require recognition and support for this critical work.

The MSIA Good Tech Podcast responds to hot health topics through expert commentary with practical working responses from industry. Each episode brings you expert commentary and practical insights from industry leaders and professionals. The MSIA addresses pressing health topics and offering tangible solutions. Our goal is to spotlight challenges, bridge gaps, and uncover opportunities that enhance healthcare standards. Whether you're a professional within health service delivery or committed to staying abreast of best practices in Australia, join us for a deep dive into critical issues like AI, aged care, interoperability, primary health care tools and more. With real-life case studies, we demonstrate how cutting-edge technology is transforming healthcare, one solution at a time.

This show is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.

In this episode of the MSIA Good Tech Podcast, we speak with Margaret Wright (RLDatix), Kate Quirke (Alcidian), Jenny O’Neill (Episoft), and Paul Beraldo (Dedalus) about the practical application of technology in hospitals to improve productivity, interoperability, patient and workforce satisfaction, and overall healthcare outcomes in Australia.

Discussions focused on tools for clinical governance, workforce management and rostering, data consolidation and interoperability platforms, digital front door solutions for hospitals, AI in administrative and clinical support, and patient engagement tools. Sharing real-world examples of operational improvements, cost savings, and safer patient care resulting from these technologies. Along with focusing on the barriers to broader uptake, including procurement reform, policy alignment, funding for change management, and the need for agile implementation, and on the tangible benefits already experienced across public and private healthcare settings.

Key Takeaways:

• Effective rostering and incident management platforms can deliver significant cost savings and improvements in staff utilisation without reducing workforce numbers.
• Interoperability platforms like Alcidian’s help consolidate data from multiple systems, resulting in better patient flow, reduced wait times, and more informed decision-making
• AI and automation in hospitals can release clinicians’ time from administrative burdens, and to focus more on patient care while supporting safer and more efficient outcomes.
• Digital front door platforms, such as Episoft’s, streamline all aspects of patient admission processes, saving time for administration and clinical staff and improving the patient experience.
• Patient engagement apps empower patients to participate actively in their own care, reducing administrative workload and supporting more sustainable healthcare delivery.

The MSIA Good Tech Podcast responds to hot health topics through expert commentary with practical working responses from industry. Each episode brings you expert commentary and practical insights from industry leaders and professionals. The MSIA addresses pressing health topics and offering tangible solutions. Our goal is to spotlight challenges, bridge gaps, and uncover opportunities that enhance healthcare standards. Whether you're a professional within health service delivery or committed to staying abreast of best practices in Australia, join us for a deep dive into critical issues like AI, aged care, interoperability, primary health care tools and more. With real-life case studies, we demonstrate how cutting-edge technology is transforming healthcare, one solution at a time.

This show is a proud member of the Talking HealthTech Podcast Network - the premier audio destination for cutting-edge insights and thought leadership in healthcare delivery, innovation, digital health, healthcare ICT, and commercialisation. Learn more at www.talkinghealthtech.com/podcast/network.