Overview
This episode features Dr. Jamie Phillips, Chief Medical Officer at UPDoc, discussing his journey from military medicine to digital health innovation, the importance of robust governance in virtual care, and UPDoc’s mission to address healthcare access challenges in Australia.
Dr. Jamie Phillips’ Background
- Dr. Phillips served 20 years in the military, predominantly in the British military as a commando.
- Specialized in rural and remote medicine with expertise in emergency care.
- Transitioned from military operations to rural Australian healthcare, drawing parallels between the two sectors.
Lessons from Military to Digital Health
- Innovation in both military and digital health requires a bold mission and willingness to embrace failure.
- Strong governance structures enable safe risk-taking and rapid innovation.
- The military’s approach to audit and governance inspired approaches to health tech challenges.
Governance and Innovation in Digital Health
- There is a significant lack of digital health governance in Australia, impeding safe innovation.
- The sector desires regulation that ensures patient safety, quality care, and agility.
- Effective governance provides both safety for patients and freedom for innovators.
- Growth mindsets and acceptance of failure are crucial for progress.
UPDoc’s Model and Services
- UPDoc focuses on providing virtual, unscheduled primary care with an AI-native digital platform.
- The goal is to close health access gaps, especially for rural and remote communities.
- UPDoc leverages rural clinical expertise to support both rural and urban populations.
- The company has experienced rapid growth and now serves patients in over 90% of Australian postcodes.
Virtual Care for Businesses
- UPDoc offers virtual healthcare access as an employee benefit, appealing to diverse sectors.
- Business-funded care bypasses taxpayer costs and enhances employee well-being and productivity.
- Demand spans large enterprises and businesses with younger workforces.
Future Directions in Healthcare Technology
- Digital health innovation accelerated during COVID-19, but momentum risks slowing post-pandemic.
- Sustained progress requires open dialogue among clinicians, innovators, regulators, and patients.
- Priorities include establishing agile governance, fostering growth mindsets, and integrating patient voices.
Recommendations / Advice
- Prioritize patient safety through robust, fit-for-purpose digital health governance.
- Encourage collaboration among all stakeholders, including patients, regulators, and clinicians.
- Promote a culture that allows for safe experimentation and rapid learning (“fail fast and JFD”).