597 - General Practice in Transition: AI, Technology Adoption and Clinic Operations

In this episode of Talking Health Tech, host Peter Birch sits down with Casey Going, a rural GP and founder of MBS Pro, to explore the evolving landscape of general practice in Australia. Casey shares his firsthand experience running a large, tech-integrated clinic in rural Queensland, emphasizing how operational pressures—especially staffing shortages and financial constraints—have made technology adoption not just beneficial but essential. He discusses the dual role of AI in general practice: as a tool to reduce administrative burdens and improve efficiency, while also serving as a recruitment magnet for younger, tech-savvy GPs. The conversation delves into the future of primary care, predicting a bifurcation between ultra-lean, AI-driven bulk-billing clinics and more personalized, technology-enhanced 'bougie' clinics that prioritize patient experience. Casey also unpacks the challenges of Medicare funding, accreditation, and the precarious financial margins in general practice, advocating for mentorship, cross-industry learning, and early adoption of AI to ensure long-term sustainability. The episode concludes with a forward-looking vision of practice ownership, where scale, specialization, and smart tech integration are key to survival in a rapidly changing healthcare ecosystem.