Author: Team

Digital Health to Transform Australia’s Health System and Save Lives

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The report, developed after an expert roundtable initiated by the Consumers Health Forum and The George Institute for Global Health, says “the time is now ripe” to support the expansion of digital health technology in vital areas including chronic care and residential aged care.

The report is based on discussions held by around 40 consumers, clinicians, academics, government and industry supported by the Australian Digital Health Agency.

Roundtable attendees considered four sectors — chronic care, residential aged care, emergency care and end of life care — in terms of what is wanted from digital health, the current state of digital health in that sector and how to meet goals for the future.

The report says major progress is being made with My Health Record, e-prescriptions, patient registries, shared care portals, state-based digital health strategies and linked hospital patient information systems.

“The time is now ripe to leverage this maturing digital health capacity in ways that are meaningful to both consumers and providers. If done well, it has potential to be transformative for Australia’s health system bringing about rapid enhancements in quality, safety, accessibility and efficiency,” the CEO of the Consumers Health Forum, Leanne Wells, said.

“Digital disruption is not coming in health care – it is already here. For too long health has been lagging behind other sectors.

“For Australia to embrace digital health and benefit from its huge potential, we need national leadership. The COAG National Digital Health Strategy provides a foundation but what is needed is stronger, coordinated direction from the federal, state and territory governments.

“It would be good news for consumers to bring health into the 21st century but we need to be mindful that people have differing levels of health literacy and some will need support to embrace a digital health future or we risk inequities of access and knowledge.

“We need to invest in implementation and change management to avoid the risks and pitfalls that can accompany the roll-out of such powerful technology into a complex and sensitive area like health care,” Ms Wells said.

Professor David Peiris, Director of Health Systems Science at The George Institute, said emerging digital health strategies had the potential to transform Australia’s health system for both health care providers and consumers.

“Our report sets out clear recommendations on what is needed to enable people to be much more in control of their own health needs and to make informed choices about the care they choose – from urgent life-saving situations through to respecting their wishes at the end their life.

“We also want to ensure that every health professional in Australia can take full advantage of the digital health eco-system to improve people’s healthcare experience and provide care that can be co-ordinated across the system. Many Australians are tired of having to constantly repeat their story to multiple care providers and it’s vital that we tap into digital technology to ensure we deliver a more person-centred, safer and sustainable healthcare system.

“Australia has made a great start in its uptake of digital health technology and we have identified practical steps in several areas that could be rolled out rapidly. The challenge now is to ensure they are adopted.”

The recommendations identified by the roundtable included:

In chronic care: To trial virtual care teams to support patients with high care needs; and trial a “Patients Like Me” platform to enable patients with chronic and complex care needs to safely connect and share experiences with one another.

In residential aged care: Ensure that residents’ health and social services information is available in a single location, on a platform easily accessible by consumers and providers anywhere, anytime and on any device. Collate and publicise data that allows patients, their carers and future consumers to compare residential care facilities based on health outcomes and patient experiences.

In emergency care: Develop digital health technologies that leverage My Health Record data to be rapidly accessible to paramedics and other emergency providers; develop a text/image message system to support improved communication between emergency care and other medical teams and assist with referrals to other health care providers for post-discharge care.

In end of life care: Develop and promote existing professional and consumer portals that provider information on care options, medical services and pathways for those nearing end of life; and engage in targeted social media campaigns to encourage consumers and medical professionals to normalise conversations about death.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

SUPPORTING AUSTRALIA’S PLAN TO BE A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLINICAL TRIALS

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Working with the state and territory governments, we will reduce red tape and end duplication, making it easier to conduct clinical trials in Australia.

This will mean Australian patients will have greater access to the world’s best medical breakthroughs.

Today at the global biotechnology and innovation convention in Boston, United States, I reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to be the world’s best destination for clinical trials.

We are providing $7 million to support states and territories to redesign their trial systems to make it easier for researchers and companies to conduct clinical trials.

This will ultimately mean Australian patients get first access to the best medicines, devices and treatments in the world.

The concept will be informed by a review of the clinical trial registry system in Australia.

Our commitment to clinical trials is rock-solid and it builds on our unprecedented investment in health and medical research.

We recently launched a national awareness campaign to get to get more Australians into ground-breaking clinical trials, opening up access to life-saving new medicines and treatments.

The Turnbull Government recently announced a $248 million investment to support clinical trials for Australian patients with rare cancers and rare diseases, and unmet need clinical trials and registries program.

In the 2018-19 Budget we announced our commitment to deliver $6 billion in record funding for Australia’s health and medical research sector, including $3.5 billion for the National Health and Medical Research Council, $2 billion in disbursements from the Medical Research Future Fund and $500 million from the Biomedical Translation Fund.

The foundation of the Government’s commitment to health and medical research is a new job boosting $1.3 billion National Health and Medical Industry Growth Plan, to improve health outcomes for hundreds of thousands of Australians, create tens of thousands of new jobs, and develop the next generation of Australia’s global leading industries.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

STRATEGIC AGREEMENT, WHAT STRATEGIC AGREEMENT?

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Another issue mentioned, but not analysed in depth, is the future of the various healthcare agreements signed by the current government with major industry bodies such as the MTAA and Medicines Australia amongst others.

Labor’s Shadow Minister for Health, Catherine King, has made no secret of the fact that such agreements will not be binding on a future Labor Government, having stated at her post-budget breakfast briefing: “governments sign agreements not oppositions”.

In and off itself, it is not a major revelation, and not unexpected.  What has been missed though is that it would not make sense for Catherine King to honour such industry agreements.

With Labor committed to a two-year 2% freeze on private health insurance premium increases while it awaits the report of the Productivity Commission, come the third year of a Labor Government and it will face both a major policy and political challenge.

In the absence of major and wholistic structural reform of the healthcare system in its entirety following the two-year review, then in isolation Labor will be looking at a catch-up increase in PHI premiums of anywhere up to 10% or more.

The political challenge for Labor is this would coincide with preparations for an election at the end of what would be their first term.

Presiding over a potential 10% increase in PHI premiums going into a Federal Election would not be a political winner.

It is for this reason Catherine King and Labor in Government need maximum flexibility to deal with major healthcare stakeholder groups. Standing by individual industry agreements, with different cessation dates and different policy objectives, would not be in their interests.

In order to have a credible policy response to keeping any PHI premium increase as low as possible, Labor in Government and Catherine King as Health Minister would need to be able to articulate a wholistic policy response across the entirety of the healthcare supply chain and not its individual components.

Hence while some healthcare industry players may consider that Labors freeze of PHI premiums at 2% is of no consequence to them, they will need to think again.

It also explains why Catherine King has stated emphatically that in government she is not necessarily committed to the various industry agreement struck by the current government.

Something for all players in the healthcare industry to digest and calibrate strategically.[/vc_column_text][vc_zigzag][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”1915″ img_size=”full”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jody Fassina is the Managing Director of Insight Strategy and has been an strategic adviser to MedTech and pharmaceutical stakeholders.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

MEDTECH LIFE CHANGING IMPACT HEADS TO CANBERRA

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The event is expected to attract well over 100 attendees from the sector and policy-makers and will include speeches by both the Minister for Health, the Hon. Greg Hunt MP, and Shadow Minister for Health, Catherine King MP.

One of the patients telling their story will be former NSW Deputy Premier, the Hon. John Watkins AM who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease seven year ago, a condition he has kept private until earlier this year. In January he agreed to undergo a seven-hour operation to attach a pacemaker device with leads into his brain known as deep brain stimulation.

“I often wish I didn’t have Parkinson’s but I can’t help thinking that as I do I am very fortunate to live in Australia and have access to first class surgical technology such as deep brain stimulation,” Mr Watkins said.

“As the disease has progressed I have developed an overwhelming sense of gratitude for life and for the medical research that has given me another chance at that life. It means that I can again travel, continue to work, play with my grand-kids, go for a walk, roll over in bed, and be involved in life rather than being an observer. To live rather than watch life pass by.”

Jenny Casey, another medtech beneficiary, will also be in attendance to share her story. Ms Casey received catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation over a 5-year period, experiencing a staggering 15 attacks.

Atrial fibrillation is a major public health issue affecting around 460,000 Australians and is characterised by symptoms of shortness of breath, palpitations and chest pain. It is also associated with a 5 to 7-fold increase in the risk of stroke. The burden and impact of atrial fibrillation on our community is significant, financially and emotionally.

Along with the patients the event will hear from healthcare professionals speaking about the importance of co-designing devices with medical technology companies to deliver ongoing innovation which ultimately benefit patient outcomes.

Parliamentarians will be exposed to a range of technologies from the medical technology industry including an orthopaedic robotic arm and virtual reality device for the training of cataract removal.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

NSW BUDGET: FUNDING BOOST TO FIGHT HEART DISEASE

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the landmark funding in the NSW Budget 2018 would start with a $60 million rollout to researchers over the next four years.

“Heart disease remains Australia’s number one killer but with greater investment, researchers can predict, prevent and treat it more accurately,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“If we want to keep people healthy, and reduce pressure on our clinical services, we have to curb the growing epidemic of cardiovascular disease.”

Mr Perrottet said: “Cardiovascular disease affects one in six Australians, and living with a heart condition can be frightening. It is critical we make this investment in long-term research funding for the wellbeing of NSW.”

Heart disease kills one person every 12 minutes.

Mr Hazzard said the 10-year funding certainty makes NSW an immensely attractive option to cardiovascular disease researchers and clinicians from around the world.
“We need skilled partners to beat heart disease and this investment guarantee will make us the first choice for researchers, the pharmaceutical sector and biotechnology industry,” said Mr Hazzard.

“The funding pipeline also allows us to support more clinical trials and leverage the existing research already underway across institutes, hospitals and universities.”

“We are committed to partnering with industry to grow health and medical research jobs, and bring new discoveries to market as quickly as possible to benefit individuals and their families, as well as the broader NSW economy,” said Mr Hazzard.

The record investment builds on the work of the Cardiovascular Research Network, a collaborative of 15 member organisations and more than 50 affiliated research institutions supporting cardiovascular research and the NSW research workforce.

The Heart Foundation’s NSW CEO Kerry Doyle said: “The NSW Government has shown vision and foresight in making this commitment, guaranteeing the next generation of research excellence and first-class care for the community.”

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute’s Executive Director Professor Robert Graham said: “With this initiative, we will be able to rapidly convert groundbreaking discoveries into better treatments for patients with heart disease.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

10 PER CENT “A VERY SMALL NUMBER”

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]It was good to see official recognition of the contribution the MedTech sector has made to keeping this year’s PHI premium increase to the lowest it has been in years.

With the industry having contributed over $1 billion in cuts that goes directly into the bottom lines of PHI companies and their promise to ‘pass on every dollar’ in savings to consumers, it was heartening to see the Department of Health officially recognise MedTechs role.

In evidence to the Senate Estimates Committee the Department of Health stated the MTAA Agreement with the Government has directly resulted in delivering the lowest premium increase in 17 years.

Ian Burgess, Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Technology Association of Australia said “we welcome comments from the Department of Health that our Agreement has directly resulted in delivering the lowest premium increase in 17 years, which has been directly attributed to the $1.1 billion cuts in revenue to the medical device industry.

“The medical technology industry believes access to a full range of medical technology is the most valuable component of a private health insurance policy and we’re committed to doing what we do best – assist patients lead healthier and more productive lives.”

What is clear is that the MedTech industry has done some heavy lifting in regard to aiding Australian consumers in helping to keep PHI premium increases as low as possible.

It is a shame that the PHI insurance has not done the same and continues to blame everybody else.

Only this week Medibank CEO Chris Drummond was in the press complaining about how they have no control over their claims or costs. Laying the blame at the feet of the medical profession as the main driver of claims he stated, “We control our own costs which is 10% of what we pay out”.

He makes no mention though of looking at PHI costs, profits or excess capital.

According to Mr Drummond they have a $600m management cost base and pay $5.2b in claims. This is a cost to claims ratio of 11.5%. Is this acceptable or not? That is a good community debate to have.

It is also very telling though that Mr Drummond has said if Labor win and impose a 2% premium cap, then they will most likely seek to cut payments to dentists, physios and hospitals. This means even less value for money for PHI policy holders.

“MTAA strongly supports the need for a healthy and viable private health insurance sector in Australia,” said Mr Burgess.

“But we’ve always maintained that given we represent 10% of private health insurers overall costs a reduction in costs for medical technology would only ever result in a modest reduction in premium increases.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

PULSELINE SITS DOWN WITH DR EMILY KOTSHCET

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Dr Kotschet is a Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist with a particular interest in inherited cardiac arrhythmias, including cardiac genetics and atrial fibrillation.

Emily finished her cardiology training then completed a three year fellowship in Electrophysiology with 2 years training in Canada, subspecialising in ablation.

Emily has a public hospital appointment at MonashHeart, Monash Medical Centre, performing device implantations and catheter ablations and is the Director of Cardiology Outpatients. She also works at Cabrini Hospital in Malvern, Linacre Hospital in Hampton and the Valley Private Hospital in Mulgrave. Consultation is available at Monash Medical Centre (Private Suite B), Brighton, Hampton (Linacre Hospital) and Frankston (Peninsula Private Hospital). She also provides cardiac services in rural Victoria visiting Alexandra and Morwell.

Emily’s interests include atrial fibrillation management including catheter ablation, device implantation (pacemakers, defibrillators and cardiac resynchronisation devices and subcutaneous devices) and inherited arrhythmias such as Long QT syndrome, Brugada Syndrome and sudden cardiac death, including cardiac genetics. She is happy to consult families and children regarding these conditions.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Medtronic’s Omar Ishrak | The Future of Medical Devices

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Omar Ishrak has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Medtronic since June 2011. Medtronic is the world’s leading medical technology company, with $29 billion in annual revenue, and operations reaching more than 160 countries worldwide. Medtronic offers technologies and solutions to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including cardiac and vascular diseases, respiratory, neurological and spinal conditions, diabetes, and more. The Medtronic Mission is to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life for millions of people around the world.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

DISRUPTION IN HEALTHCARE: WHAT IS CHANGING

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Although disruption has not yet reached healthcare there are signs that that is beginning to change. The increasing focus on technology particularly wearables, entry of innovative giants into the healthcare space and renewed government investment and interest in fixing a public hospital crisis mean that disruption is coming. The clear warning to healthcare companies is adapt or die. Meanwhile for consumers this disruption could lead to healthcare as a whole shifting to the service driven model adopted by the likes of Uber. This model could dramatically improve consumers’ experiences and healthcare outcomes.

Medical technology has taken off in recent years drawing increasing investment and public attention. Of particular importance is the growth in health ‘wearables’ such as Fitbits. This sector has exploded in recent years with experts predicting wearables to be worth US$12.1 billion by 2021. Wearables are important as they are a consumer rather than expert driven product and allow users to track and monitor their own health.

In combination with developing diagnostic tools and the potential for AI health assistants such as Amazon’s ‘Alexa’, wearables could fundamentally change the way that we approach healthcare. This new focus on technology for individual users is a far cry from healthcare delivery even a few years ago. This new focus on individual users’ health outcomes (rather than the time spent treating them) could help companies disrupt the current fee-for-service model.

In addition to empowering individual consumers and shifting the healthcare delivery model wearables have allowed companies to gather health data on an unprecedented scale. These companies are beginning to enter the healthcare space with past disruptors Amazon and Apple both developing healthcare solutions. Amazon in particular with its focus on disrupting brick-and-mortar stores could pivot into providing online pharmacy services and through cutting out the pharmacist provide significant savings to consumers.

Similar services are already available in the UK where companies are allowing consumers to order repeat scripts online significantly improving compliance with medication directions. Meanwhile Apple is leveraging health data from the Apple Watch and its own employees through developing an in-house medical service to test future med-tech products and service delivery methods.

The Australian Government is also taking steps to encourage innovation in the healthcare space. Recent budgets have focussed on health spending and through programs like the Medical Research Future Fund the government is investing in Australia’s future healthcare needs. The government is also taking steps to assist innovators, through R&D tax incentives smaller start-ups get access to refundable credits while larger companies receive a tax offset.

Despite the changes following the 2018 budget, R&D tax incentives will still assist start-ups, especially in the area of healthcare where clinical trials have been exempted from the $4 million cap on cash refunds for companies with a turnover less than $20 million. These tax incentives have allowed Australian companies to focus on research and development and create innovative solutions to healthcare problems. For example, CancerAid has credited the scheme with providing them with the funding they needed to develop an app to allow cancer patients to connect with each other.

In addition to specific programs, the national focus on the failings of public hospitals could serve as a flashpoint that could encourage greater innovation and in turn disruption. In the last article we discussed how the fee-for-service model inherently disincentivises innovation and addressing this could disrupt the industry as a whole.

The current public hospital crisis has led to high costs and poor health outcomes and repeated attempts to fix it through increasing funding or pushing for efficiency the system continues to fall short. This suggests that innovation and disruption may be the only solution to ‘fix’ public hospitals in Australia, and as such will continue to receive both government and industry attention and support.

The final article in this series will discuss how disruption can be measured and what conclusions can be drawn from this in an Australian context.

Health Horizon is a start-up that empowers health consumers by allowing them to find and track health innovations that interest or affect them so that they can gain control over their health future.

*Regina E. Herzlinger, original article here.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE SEEKS INDUSTRY PARTNERS TO PROVIDE ‘INVALUABLE EXPERIENCE’ FOR STUDENTS

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Connecting innovative and passionate students with industry partners has been a primary focus for the University of Newcastle for more than 50 years.

The Biomedical Science field continues to expand, and so too does the need for partnerships that allow students to gain quality industry experience.

University of Newcastle Program Convenor, Doctor Karen Mate, highlights that students benefit greatly from gaining real-world experience with industry partners.

“The University of Newcastle is recognised for producing world-class graduates who are leaders in their field,” said Dr Mate.

“By providing students with the opportunity to complete work placements with industry partners, they are able to further develop their skills and can also contribute significantly to individual business outcomes.

“We are interested in connecting with new biomedical science industry partners to discuss how engaging our student-base can help with meeting their business needs.

“Our students have the skills and knowledge needed to impact the global advancement of medical research practice and policy, and industry have the opportunity to utilise this fresh talent to deliver innovative results, added Dr Mate.

Professor Robert Rush, Founder and Managing Director of biotech company Biosensis, who has partnered with the University of Newcastle for more than three years, comments on how engaging with students has benefited research advancement.

“The project has been useful and resulted in sufficient progress being made so far. In doing so, Biosensis has committed funds to employ the student as a post-doctoral fellow on completion of his degree,” said Professor Rush.

“We would certainly seriously consider further commitment in the future. Biosensis has a number of collaborations with global universities and enjoys the academic-industry approach which benefits both parties,” concluded Professor Rush.

Thanks to industry partners like Biosensis, student Sam Faulkner was able to collaborate with Biosensis on common research interests, gaining invaluable real-world experience.

“Industry support for undergraduate programs and students provide invaluable experience and insight into corporate research and corporate science and technology ways,” said Mr Faulkner.

“Traditionally, students get a taste of a variety of health and medical research disciplines but rarely work directly with industry to understand science on a commercial level.

“I have benefited significantly from this exposure and am grateful this experience has allowed me to foster networking and future study opportunities,” concluded Mr Faulkner.

While the University of Newcastle maintains existing partnerships with industry, there is a growing need to provide additional placement opportunities for students.

“These partnerships are vital to the academic and professional development of our students and also to the evolving landscape of local industry, Dr Mate continued.

“If you are a business in the biomedical field who is looking for access to students with select academic backgrounds, if you require expertise that is flexible and responsive to industry needs and would like to build research collaborations with the support of the University of Newcastle, we encourage you to get in touch with us.

“Through our research, and strong national and international partnerships, we’re driving innovation that challenges conventional thinking, breaks new ground and changes lives.

“Let our students help your business,” concluded Dr Mate.

For more information on how University of Newcastle biomedical science students can benefit your business, contact Dr Karen Mate – Program Convenor on Karen.mate@newcastle.edu.au or 02 4921 5983[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]