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In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Riwka and Kim are joined by Julian Moore, Chief AI Consultant at Strategic Membership Solutions, to explore the current state and practical applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in primary care and allied health settings. Key Points: AI Receptionists and Admin Tasks: AI is increasingly being used to automate front-of-house functions such as appointment bookings, payments, and reminders, which reduces administrative workload and costs.AI Scribes for Clinicians: Popular AI scribe tools automate clinical note-taking. While these technologies can help combat clinician burnout, users must check all outputs for accuracy and legal compliance.Data Privacy and Regulation: Julian highlights the importance of complying with privacy standards and current regulations, noting that purpose-built AI is required for clinical documentation, whereas general tools like GPT and Claude should not be used in patient consultations.Accuracy and Training: Newer AI models offer high accuracy, especially when trained on individual clinicians’ styles, but regular review is still necessary.Agentic AI and Future Developments: They examine the rise of 'agentic' AI; programmes capable of independently executing tasks, and the need for robust regulation as these technologies advance. Practice managers are encouraged to carefully select, train, and supervise AI tools for safe and effective integration into clinical and administrative workflows. Medicubes 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 Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim discuss the release of the RACGP 6th Edition Standards for General Practices and what they mean for practice managers and primary care teams. Providing an initial overview of key changes, structural updates, and new requirements introduced by the updated accreditation standards. Key Points: New Structure: The 6th Edition features four core standards; Foundations, Clinical Governance, Patient Participation, and Continuous Quality Improvement, replacing the previous multi-module approach.Optional Module: Introduction of an optional module for point-of-care testing, only for practices offering those services.Consumer Focus: Each standard now links requirements to “consumer expectation statements”, reframing the standards through the patient perspective.Increased Requirements: Practices must now show evidence of strategic business planning, with defined mission, vision, and values.Sustainability: Environmental sustainability and climate impact are new areas of focus.Team and Wellbeing: New standards set expectations for team culture, psychological safety, and staff retention measures.Information Management: Stronger controls on information security are required; digital records are now mandatory.Quality Improvement: Emphasis on the use of coded clinical data for continuous quality improvement, and increased rigour in reporting outcomes.Patient Feedback: The introduction of consumer engagement tools such as PREMs and PROMs.Practical Steps: Advises listeners to breaking changes into manageable tasks, starting with policy version control and making use of available accreditation resources. Medicubes 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 Medicubes, hosts Kim, Chris, and Riwka are joined by Denise Lyons, President of the Australian Primary Nurse Association, to discuss the introduction of the Designated Registered Nurse Prescribing model in Australia. Covering the evolution of the nurse prescribing initiative, pathways to endorsement, and what the change means for general practices, particularly in primary care and rural settings. Key Points: Registered Nurse Prescribing Model: The designated RN prescribing model allows endorsed registered nurses to prescribe certain medications in partnership with authorised health practitioners. This is a significant development for the nursing profession and for access to care in Australia.Endorsement Requirements: Nurses need at least 5,000 clinical hours, postgraduate study, and must work under a clinical governance and prescribing partnership agreement. Several endorsed pathways exist, including recognition of overseas credentials.Scope and Clinical Governance: This is not an autonomous role-prescribing is collaborative, supported by agreements and compliance with both national and state regulation. The RN prescriber is professionally responsible for their own prescribing, within robust governance frameworks.Implementation: The rollout is at different stages in each state and territory; practice managers need to refer to their local requirements. A national implementation website is planned to streamline access to guidance and resources.Funding: There are currently no new Medicare item numbers linked to nurse prescribing, but professional bodies are advocating for funding reform to support the expanded role. Practice managers are encouraged to stay updated, consult the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia for resources, and ensure local compliance before implementing nurse prescribing in their practices. Links & Resources: NMBA/Ahpra Designated RN prescribing enquiries: [email protected] standard: Endorsement for scheduled medicines – designated registered nurse prescriberGuidelines for registered nurses applying for and with the endorsement for scheduled medicines – designated registered nurse prescriberFact Sheet – Registration standard: Endorsement for scheduled medicines – designated registered nurse prescriberLatest list of approved programs of study for designated RN prescribingDoHDA - Registered Nurse Prescribing https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/designated-registered-nurse-prescribing APNA International Festival of Nursing 2027 - https://www.festivalofnursing.com/ How to Prepare to be a Designated RN prescriberhttps://www.health.gov.au/our-work/designated-registered-nurse-prescribing/how-to-prepare-to-be-a-designated-rn-prescriber Medicubes 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 Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim return for season three, providing an update on important developments for Australian Practice Managers in primary care. They reviewed the latest changes to assignment of benefit procedures, advising practices to adopt clear workflows, continue active documentation of patient consent, and access up-to-date, official resources to remain compliant. Addressing misconceptions about current requirements and the importance of adapting processes without relying on outdated information. The conversation covers several additional practice management priorities including: New award rate increases and the need to review both pay rates and staff classifications,Changes to payday superannuation requiring employers to submit super payments in line with payroll,New governance and policy obligations for practices aligned with MyMedicare, particularly focusing on privacy and documentation,Highlights from Kim and Riwka’s published work on nurse-led services, demonstrating the benefits of structured quality improvement. Links & Resources: Policies, procedures and checklists in relation to new My Health Record requirements from 1 October 2026 - My Health Record Templates Medicubes 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 Medicubes, hosts Chris, Kim, and Riwka are joined by Jess White (Chief Technology Officer at Best Practice) and Bec Bland (Assistant Director of Partnerships, Commercial at Best Practice) to discuss the upcoming changes to the Medicare Assignment of Benefit (AOB) process. Providing a clear overview of what Medicare AOB is, why these legislative changes are being implemented, and how they will affect general practices. Key Points: Changes to Responsibility: From 1 July, practices must securely retain evidence of patient consent for bulk billed Medicare services (AOB), making consent tracking an auditable requirement.Moving to Digital: Electronic and pre-assignment processes are now permitted, allowing practices to capture and store consent digitally, replacing previous rigid paper forms.Service Buckets: Pre-consent is tied to “basic service description” buckets (groupings of Medicare items). Only one bucket can be selected per assignment. If the billing item changes, a new assignment of benefit is required.Practical Impact: Practices will need to update workflows, train clinicians to finalise billing at the time of service, and set up clear patient communication, especially about responding to electronic consent requests.Exception Handling: Software features will help identify and manage cases where new AOBs are needed, but unreturned patient consent may delay processing and affect payment timelines.Recommendations: Practices can start with paper forms if needed and phase in digital solutions, focusing first on ensuring team and patient understanding and robust exception processes. Recent changes: From July 1, verbal consent will be available in all settings for 12 months.Enduring assignment of benefit will be an option for all MyMedicare registered patients, residents of aged care facilities and patients attending Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) from 1 July 2026 – brought forward from April 2027.Patients attending ACCHOs will be able to have enduring assignment at multiple sites.Providers and software vendors that have already prepared or are preparing for the new arrangements, including through digital solutions, should continue that work.Compliance will not commence until regulatory changes are complete and will begin with prevention and education.There will be a 12-month transition period, during which there is a commitment to work with the profession on the changed approach and explore other options to further reduce the administrative burden on both GP practices and patients while ensuring the integrity of Medicare is maintained. Links & Resources: https://bestpracticesoftware.com/blog/modernising-the-assignment-of-benefit-process/https://try.hotdoc.com.au/aob-changes-2026https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/improving-the-assignment-of-benefit-process?language=enhttps://www.cubiko.com.au/resources/preparing-your-practice-for-the-new-assignment-of-benefit-changes/https://www.racgp.org.au/advocacy/advocacy-resources/assignment-of-benefit-and-signature-requirements?fbclid=IwY2xjawSgPl9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFvNzRiU3IwWnQ4Ym50Qncxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmigQFWPBc2MrnXMi0XMdG4d_H1EGVPjav6rwvh3CglzMhcxPW1Tpxlpoy04_aem_nxOqB8--oSozjRj0i87ptA Learn more about Cubiko Calculate or book a demo with the Cubiko team Medicubes 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 Medicubes, hosts Riwka and Kim are joined by Nick Adams, Chief Operating Officer, and Sean Fincham, Chief Financial Officer at Cubiko, to discuss Cubiko Calculate, a solution designed to streamline the calculation and distribution of service fees between practices and practitioners in general practice settings. They explore how Cubiko Calculate addresses common challenges in service fee administration, including the reliance on complex, error-prone spreadsheets and manual processes. Key Points: Background: Cubiko Calculate is developed in response to feedback from over 2,500 practices using Cubiko Insights, identifying the need for efficient and accurate doctor fee run calculations.Automation and Accuracy: Calculate automates service fee distribution, reducing errors and administrative time while increasing transparency.Fee Rule Engine: The system allows configuration of differentiated service fees by item type, session time, date range, and other parameters, supporting fairer and more precise practitioner arrangements.Integration Features: Connection with Best Practice enables automatic data pull, and seamless integration with Xero allows for quick and accurate reconciliation with financial records.Fraud Detection and Controls: Automated and structured processes help uncover long-standing errors or misallocations, supporting better financial oversight.Responding to Change: The Cubiko team discusses adaptability to future changes such as bundled payment models or new incentive schemes in general practice remuneration.Implementation and Support: Onboarding practices are provided with tailored support to match service fee calculations with underlying practitioner agreements, ensuring the system aligns with contractual intentions. Download Cubiko Calculate’s resource, The 4 checks every fee run should include Learn more about Cubiko Calculate or book a demo with the Cubiko team Medicubes 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

First episode back for 2026! In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Kim and Riwka speak with Alison Miller, Practice Manager of McKid Medical, about strategies to optimise the nursing workforce and expand nurse-led services in primary care. Discussing practical innovations and lessons learned from implementing nurse-driven care models across multiple clinic sites. Key Points: Nurse Specialisation: Nurses are assigned to areas aligned with their interests and expertise, such as menopause, weight management, and physical health, enhancing job satisfaction and patient care.Care Planning Technology: Adoption of AI tools (Lyrebird) has streamlined care planning and improved workflow, allowing nurses to take a more active role in assessments and care coordination.Room Structure: Clinic rooms are organised by specific health checks and item numbers, making use of visual cues and branding to clarify service offerings and support targeted patient engagement.Patient Engagement: Focused messaging (“This is how we can help you”) and personalised outreach have led to improved uptake of health assessments and nurse consultations.Continuous Improvement: Weekly feedback and screening programmes have enabled early diagnoses and improved team collaboration. Encouraging practice managers to tailor nurse-led services to their community’s needs and leverage resources such as the “Transforming Clinical Series” webinars developed with Healthy North Coast. Registration and resources: https://www.primarycareinnovation.com.au/transforming-clinical-care Medicubes 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 Medicubes, hosts Chris and Kim are joined by Sarah Bartholomeusz, founder and principal of You Legal, to discuss current privacy reforms and their impact on primary care practices in Australia. Providing a clear overview of the recent changes to the Privacy Act, including the introduction of the Privacy Legislation Other Amendment Act (Polar), and why it is important for practices to update their policies and systems.  Key Topics: New Privacy Reforms: Sarah explains the overhaul of the Privacy Act and the need for practices to modernise their privacy policies to address issues arising from cloud storage, artificial intelligence, and digital health records.Accountability and Compliance: Placing greater emphasis on the responsibility of practices to safeguard patient information, including stricter requirements on their data protection policies.Data Breaches and Consequences: Recent high-profile data breaches highlight that organisations, rather than individuals, are now held accountable. Practices risk significant reputational damage and fines of up to $50 million for serious contraventions.Practical Steps for Practice Managers: Which includes reviewing and updating privacy policies, ensuring team training and awareness, and auditing systems and security measures.Training and Leadership: Sarah emphasises the importance of ongoing staff education and a shared organisational approach to privacy compliance. Examples illustrate how human error in handling patient information can have serious consequences.Insurance Considerations:  Discussing the importance of cyber insurance and regularly reviewing policy requirements, such as two-factor authentication, to ensure coverage.Civil Penalties: Under the new legislation, individuals can now take civil action against practices for privacy breaches, expanding the potential liability for business owners. Links & Resources:  You Legal webinar on Privacy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W55xlxEzwSEYou Legal most recent Privacy article: https://youlegal.com.au/you-legal-blogs/privacy-law-changes-medical-practices-australiaOffice of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC): https://www.oaic.gov.au/Hacking Health podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq9d4AWPjD8https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/episode-4-providing-actionable-insights-and-staying/id1713458574?i=1000632513496 Medicubes 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 Medicubes, hosts Chris and Riwka speak with Dan Stinton, CEO and Managing Director of HealthEngine, about recent developments in Australia’s largest healthcare provider marketplace and the evolving landscape of digital health technology for medical practices. Key Points: Health Engine’s Expansion: Now servicing general practice, dental, allied specialists, and pharmacy, with more than 10,000 practices and 40,000 practitioners listed on the platform.Patient Engagement Technology: Investment in non-clinical SAS tools to support efficient front-office operations, including online bookings, automated recalls, payments, and custom forms.AI Receptionist (‘Helen’): Automates 50-65% of inbound calls in practices, currently supports booking management, with future plans for recalls and reminders via voice.Practice Adoption Challenges: Practices tend to adopt 10% of available functionality, highlighting the need for continued education and support for technology use.Data Security & Compliance: Health Engine upholds strong governance standards, with comprehensive legal and privacy audits for every product release.Australian Healthcare Index Insights: 74% of patients report cost-of-living pressures are impacting their healthcare decisions, with bulk billing access cited as a major concern.Preparing for New Booking Channels: Practices should be mindful of the growing influence of large language models and personal assistants in patient engagement. Links & Resources:  HealthEngine: https://healthengine.com.au/ Medicubes 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 Medicubes, hosts Chris and Riwka are joined by Louise Riley, Bianca McCulloch, Jacob Grooby, and Alexis Mohay from the Department of Health and Aged Care to discuss the latest changes to bulk billing and the launch of the Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP). The panel addresses common questions from registered practices, clarifying the practical and administrative impacts of the new incentive arrangements. Recorded live from a FAQ webinar session focused on supporting practice managers, owners, and clinical teams in understanding the changes necessary for successful implementation. Key Points: Two Key Bulk Billing Changes: Explaining the distinction between the expanded bulk billing incentives (with increased eligibility for patients) and the new Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program (BBPIP), which provides an additional 12.5% incentive payment for eligible practices.Eligibility and Registration: Practices can choose to participate in the BBPIP or continue with current billing arrangements. Registration for BBPIP is available via the MyMedicare portal from 1 November, with flexibility to join or withdraw later.Bulk Billing Item Requirements: Participating practices must bulk bill all General Practitioner Non-Referred Attendance (GP NRA) services for eligible patients. Procedures and other service types are exempt. Non-BBPIP practices can still claim standard bulk billing incentives as the eligibility criteria have been expanded.Triple Incentive Clarification: Not all incentive payments are tripled. Only those items previously eligible for the triple incentive will remain so; other items retain their current rate.Practice Management Systems: Software vendors will update items automatically, practices are advised to check for updates and retain concession card information for differential billing on non-bulk billed services.Administrative Arrangements and Errors: Minor administrative errors in billing will not result in the loss of the entire quarterly incentive payment. Corrections and adjustments can be made, and a small margin for error is allowed.Payments and Indexation: The 12.5% incentive is calculated on eligible GP NRA items and paid quarterly. The amount increases in line with MBS indexation, but the percentage itself remains static.Advertising and Signage: Participating practices must clearly advertise their bulk billing status, including updated signage (available to order via the Department’s website) and register details with Healthdirect.Non-Medicare Services and Private Billing: Practices may still privately bill for procedures or non-NRA services and set appropriate fees for non-MBS services (e.g. iron infusions).Compliance: The importance of using reliable, up-to-date resources and departmental FAQs to support team understanding and avoid misinformation. Links & Resources: Cubiko FAQ webinar session: https://www.cubiko.com.au/resources/bb-incentive-faq/Cubiko’s Bulk Billing Incentive Resource Hub and Webinar Recordings: https://www.cubiko.com.au/blog/resource-group/bulk-billing-incentives/RACGP Resource Hub https://www.racgp.org.au/advocacy/advocacy-resources/november-changes-to-medicareDOHA Resource Hub: http://www.health.gov.au/BBPIPThe Services Australia Health Professional Education website: https://hpe.servicesaustralia.gov.au/Government Resource: GP NRA Items: https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/bulk-billing-practice-incentive-program-eligible-services?language=enRACGP Bulk Billing Incentive Fact Sheet: https://www.racgp.org.au/FSDEDEV/media/documents/Advocacy/Medicare/Appendix-A-Fact-sheet-Bulk-billing-incentives-since-1-Nov-2023.pdf Medicubes 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 Medicubes, hosts Chris, Riwka, and Kim continue their conversation with Jo Winwood, focusing on social prescribing, aged care, and early intervention in primary care. Providing a clear explanation of social prescribing, its origins in the UK, and how it relates to the broader concept of holistic, person-centred care.  Key Points: Social Prescribing Defined: Social prescribing involves structured conversations with patients to identify what matters to them, what may be missing from their lives, and addressing social determinants of health as part of a broader care plan.Integration into Practice: The growing formalisation of social prescribing in Australian general practice, including references in care planning and including holistic, lifestyle-based factors in templates and patient reviews.Person-Centred Approach: Highlighting patient-driven goal setting, with examples showing that patients’ concerns often lie outside of clinical conditions and may relate more to isolation, loneliness, or lack of purpose.Practical Examples: Real-world examples of social prescriptions such as community gardening, cooking classes, and activities like Parkrun, which foster social connection and improve wellbeing.Self-care for Health Professionals: Encouraging practice staff to reflect on their own social connections and wellbeing, and the value of walking the talk to better understand and promote social prescribing benefits.Actionable Advice: Jo suggests individuals and practitioners undertake a personal stocktake to identify what matters most and what may be missing in their own lives, and to use this as a starting point. Medicubes 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. Mentioned in this episode: Get Healthengine today! Healthengine is a proud sponsor of the Medicubes podcast. Our easy-to-integrate, and even easier to use, technology helps boost your digital presence, grow your patient base, maximise your practice efficiency and build deeper relationships with your patients. Learn more Healthengine

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Riwka, Kim, and Chris are joined by Jo Winwood, Associate Director of Healthy Living and Ageing at Healthy North Coast. Discussing aged care in Australia, recent reforms driven by the Royal Commission, and the practical implications for general practice teams and their elderly patients. Key Points: Jo’s Background: Jo’s transition from the corporate sector into aged care and her belief in the importance of dignity, visibility, and purpose for older Australians.Gaps in Aged Care: The traditional approach often left older people feeling like passive recipients of care, rather than active participants. Jo highlights the need for meaningful social connection to reduce feelings of invisibility and loneliness.Role of Primary Care: Emphasis for GPs, nurses, and practice managers to initiate aged care discussions earlier, integrate aged care pathways into care planning, and use regular assessments as opportunities to identify and support older patients at risk.Aged Care Changes: Outlining how the Royal Commission (started in 2018) led to 148 recommendations focused on consumer visibility, choice, and control and moving away from a provider-centric model to a rights-based system that emphasises dignity and independence. Major System Changes: Access: Improved access points, and new referral pathways for primary care providers.Assessment: Shift to a single, unified assessment system for all consumers.Support at Home: Replacement of four-tiered home care packages with an eight-level Support at Home program, allowing greater flexibility and more rapid escalation of support as needs change.Special Pathways: Introduction of additional short-term support and end-of-life care packages, with roles for GPs and nurse practitioners in assessing and referring patients. Links & Resources: My Aged Care: https://www.myagedcare.gov.au/New Aged Care Act: https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/about-us/legislation-and-policies/new-aged-care-act Medicubes 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. Mentioned in this episode: Get Healthengine today! Healthengine is a proud sponsor of the Medicubes podcast. Our easy-to-integrate, and even easier to use, technology helps boost your digital presence, grow your patient base, maximise your practice efficiency and build deeper relationships with your patients. Learn more Healthengine

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Riwka and Kim are joined by guest Anne Fidler to discuss Australia’s new national lung cancer screening programme and its implications for general practice. Discussing the programme’s eligibility criteria, key statistics regarding lung cancer incidence and mortality, and the stigma faced by people with a current or past history of smoking. Anne shares her personal experiences as a lung cancer patient and advocate, along with the need for supportive, non-judgemental conversations in primary care settings. Key Points: Programme Overview: Australia is set to launch a national lung cancer screening programme in July 2025. This is the first national cancer screening initiative introduced in nearly 20 years.Eligibility Criteria: The programme targets individuals aged 50 to 70 with a history of tobacco use (current or past), who are asymptomatic. A key measure is a “30 pack year” smoking history, but for practical purposes, clinicians can simply ask if the patient has been smoking for around 30 years. Those who quit in the last ten years remain eligible.Stigma in Healthcare: Stigma remains a major barrier to early detection. Many patients feel judged due to their smoking history, discouraging them from participating in screening or disclosing relevant behaviour.Language and Approach: The importance of using sensitive, open-ended questions about tobacco use and normalising screening conversations as a routine aspect of care, rather than targeting individuals.Community Engagement: On advocacy activities, including the Shine a Light Walk and community awareness events such as World Lung Cancer Day (1 August) and fundraising initiatives organised by the Lung Foundation. For practice managers and general practice teams, they are encouraged to review internal language and processes to ensure patients feel supported and able to take part in life-saving screening without fear of stigma. Links & Resources: https://lungfoundation.com.au/protect-your-lungs/national-lung-cancer-screening-program/https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-04/national-lung-cancer-screening-program-conversation-guide-discussing-participation.pdf https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/nlcsp-reducing-stigma?language=enhttps://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-06/national-lung-cancer-screening-program-low-dose-ct-request-form.pdfhttps://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-04/national-lung-cancer-screening-program-reducing-stigma-in-the-nlcsp.pdf Medicubes 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. Mentioned in this episode: Get Healthengine today! Healthengine is a proud sponsor of the Medicubes podcast. Our easy-to-integrate, and even easier to use, technology helps boost your digital presence, grow your patient base, maximise your practice efficiency and build deeper relationships with your patients. Learn more Healthengine

In this episode of Medicubes, hosts Kim and Riwka are joined by Dr Chris Bollen (Adelaide GP and Director of Bollen Health) and Jane Bollen (Primary Health Care Nurse Consultant) to discuss healthy ageing, focusing on primary care strategies for supporting muscle health, preventing frailty, and promoting independence from age 40 onwards. Exploring the importance of addressing muscle health proactively, the role of GPs and nurses in screening for pre-frailty, and practical approaches for embedding evidence-based practices in health assessments. Key Points: Frailty is not an inevitable part of ageing: Highlighting that frailty can be prevented and reversed with early intervention, and it should not be assumed as a normal consequence of ageing.Importance of muscle health: Loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) is a key factor in the development of frailty, and maintaining muscle strength is essential for prolonging independence and reducing complications.Simple interventions: Encouraging patients to perform simple strength exercises, such as regular sit-to-stands, and increasing dietary protein intake is said to be actionable self-management strategies.Patient-centred goals: Linking assessment and interventions to personal patient goals can improve engagement and drive meaningful behaviour change.Nutrition advice: Providing practical pointers for supporting protein intake and dispels myths about dietary restrictions in ageing, emphasising food-based approaches before supplementation.Reviewing current practice: Urges practices to focus on evidence-based assessments in health checks and care plans, instead of non-essential tests. Muscle health checks can be a valuable measure in nurse-led clinics and health assessments. Providing primary care managers, nurses, and GPs with practical considerations for implementing muscle health initiatives and reframing healthy ageing as a core component of preventive care. Link & Resources: Frailty BrochureRACGP Red Book- FrailtyRACGP Silver BookAsia Pacific Clinical Practice Guidelines for Frailty 2017 Nutrition Assessment MNA Dietitian Connection Malnutrition Resources for PatientsAre you getting enough protein?10 ways to get more protein.Protein Counter Medicubes 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 Mentioned in this episode: Get Healthengine today! Healthengine is a proud sponsor of the Medicubes podcast. Our easy-to-integrate, and even easier to use, technology helps boost your digital presence, grow your patient base, maximise your practice efficiency and build deeper relationships with your patients. Learn more Healthengine

In this episode of Medicubes, Chris, Riwka, Kim are joined live at the Best Practice Summit 2025 by Craig Hodges (CEO, Best Practice), Janice Tan (GM of Clinical at Bupa), Steven Kaye (GP and RACGP committee member), Jaspreet Saini (GP and Chief Medical Officer, HotDoc), and Kylie Payne (CEO, Interconnect Healthcare). The panel explores the primary care landscape, with a focus on technology-enabled practice management, digital health, and the practical implications for practice managers working in Australian general practice. Key Points: Celebrating Progress: Recognising recent “bright spots” in primary care, including rapid digital transformation during COVID-19, especially the adoption of eScripts, and the increasing role of AI technology.Integrating AI: Discussing practical examples of AI benefiting general practice, all while maintaining a patient-centred approach.Challenges and Risks: Addressing barriers to digital adoption in primary care. The lack of comprehensive regulation and standards around AI in Australia is also noted as a current concern for clinical safety and governance.Access and Continuity: They highlight rising wait times for appointments and shifting patterns of patient access. The tension between continuity and convenience is a central theme, with technology proposed as a bridge to close this gap.Role of Education: Emphasising the need for ongoing education of all practice staff, across clinical and administrative roles, as essential to prevent practices and patients being left behind in the rapid digital transformation of primary care.Collaborative Projects: Initiatives like the SPARK project are presented as examples of industry collaboration, aiming to align data collection across the healthcare sector to facilitate more integrated and patient-centred care.Looking Forward: Discussing what’s possible in the next five years, advocating for digital solutions that maintain a balance between technological advancement, sustainability, and optimal patient outcomes. Medicubes 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 Mentioned in this episode: Get Healthengine today! Healthengine is a proud sponsor of the Medicubes podcast. Our easy-to-integrate, and even easier to use, technology helps boost your digital presence, grow your patient base, maximise your practice efficiency and build deeper relationships with your patients. Learn more Healthengine