594 - Building Frictionless Healthcare: Updoc’s Journey to Improving Healthcare Access

In this episode of Talking HealthTech, guest host and clinician Dr Max Mollenkopf is joined by Cliffe Hodgkinson, co-founder of Updoc, to explore the rapidly evolving world of telehealth and digital healthcare in Australia.The discussion dives deep into how Updoc is reshaping access to primary care, using technology to streamline patient intake, triage, and workflow management while maintaining robust clinical governance.The episode also examines the challenges and opportunities of building a digital health business, from recruiting and engaging clinicians with flexible work models to navigating economic pressures and policy changes.The conversation explores patient expectations in the digital age, the practical realities of delivering online consultations, and the ways digital platforms can complement traditional GP services.Cliffe and Max explore what drives patient adoption, how friction points in traditional clinics are being addressed, and what the future may hold for hybrid models of care that blend online and in-person consultations.Key Takeaways🩺 Updoc offers flexible, on-demand telehealth for routine and urgent care across Australia, focusing on accessibility for rural and time-poor patients.🔗 Incremental innovation and listening to user feedback drive continuous improvements in patient intake flows, data integration and care delivery.👨‍⚕️ Doctors are attracted by hyper-flexible work arrangements, supporting clinicians returning to work and those balancing multiple roles.⚖️ Updoc prioritises clinical governance, developing frameworks for patient safety, credentialing, and collaborating with Patients Australia on digital health standards.💡 Telehealth complements, but doesn’t replace, in-person care, offering new pathways for multimodal, hybrid healthcare delivery in Australia.Timestamps00:00 – Updoc introduction & mission00:05 – Updoc's formative experiences06:47 – Incremental innovation at UpDoc14:30 – Clinician engagement & workforce16:49 – Clinical governance approach22:02 – Accessibility focus: rural/time-poor29:30 – The future of telehealth vs. traditional care38:53 – Potential for hybrid & triage models44:03 – Patient impact story_________Want to keep the conversation going?The full article and extended show notes for this episode are available inside the THT+ Community here: View Full Article HereIn the THT+ Community, our members keep the discussion going, share perspectives, and unpack what this episode actually means in practice with other people working in healthtech.If you’re enjoying the show and want access to full articles, episode discussions, meetups, and member-only content, you can learn more about becoming a THT+ Solo Member here: talkinghealthtech.com/thtplus.And if this episode was useful, leaving a review or sharing it with someone in the industry always helps.Mentioned in this episode:THT+ Digital Health Career ToolkitExplore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.THT+ Digital Health Career ToolkitExplore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.THT+ Digital Health Career ToolkitExplore the free THT+ Digital Health Career Toolkit, a five-day email series to help you clarify where you fit in digital health and take your next step: talkinghealth.tech/toolkit.