Health reform flatlines without data sharing

2 minute read


Interoperability is a big word but nothing will change unless it happens.


Interoperability – or data sharing – is the linchpin for all meaningful health reform in Australia. 

Why is this so? Michelle O’Brien explains all. She’s one of Australia’s most respected voices in digital health and joins us this week for a cuppa in The Tea Room.  

Michelle says that early disease detection (think Minority Report for healthcare), virtual care at home, better management of chronic disease and preventative health are all only possible with interoperability. MBS reform and outcome-based remuneration also hinge precariously on this aspect of digital health systems. 

As a former business executive at Medical Director and MediRecords, Michelle is leading the charge for interoperability at next month’s Wild Health Summit in Melbourne.  

“My biggest fan club is gerontologists because they ‘get it’. They see how data can be used to detect early onset of ageing diseases and intervene. Getting a diagnosis earlier can change the progression of someone’s life,” Michelle says. 

Can interoperability change the progression of healthcare in Australia? Michelle O’Brien is pretty convincing in explaining how it can. 

The Wild Health Summit is being held at Collins Square Event Centre on 16 October 2022. The theme: No greater time to align our digital health strategy with our health reform agenda. 

You can listen and subscribe to the show by searching for “The Tea Room Medical Republic” in your favourite podcast player.

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