Can Automation in Healthcare Really Give Doctors More Time with Patients?
Can Automation in Healthcare Really Give Doctors More Time with Patients?
Can Automation in Healthcare Really Give Doctors More Time with Patients?
9 Oct 2025
5
min read
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Contents
The Administrative Overload: A Day in the Life of a Modern Australian Clinician
The Administrative Overload: A Day in the Life of a Modern Australian Clinician
The Pitfall of Point Solutions: Swapping One Burden for Another
The Pitfall of Point Solutions: Swapping One Burden for Another
The Platform Advantage: How Integrated Automation Creates Time
The Platform Advantage: How Integrated Automation Creates Time
Reinvesting Time: The Clinical and Business Impact
Reinvesting Time: The Clinical and Business Impact
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
Linked Research References
Linked Research References
It's a pervasive issue in Australian healthcare: the 'time-poverty' crisis. Clinicians enter the profession driven by a desire to care for patients, only to find themselves ensnared in a web of administrative tasks. From clinical notes and referral letters to billing codes and patient follow-ups, the non-clinical workload is immense and unrelenting. Studies and surveys consistently paint a grim picture, with a majority of Australian doctors reporting burnout, and a significant portion of their day—some estimate around 16%—is consumed by non-clinical activities.[1][2] This administrative burden is not just a matter of professional frustration; it directly erodes the time available for patient interaction, impacting the quality of care and threatening the sustainability of the medical workforce.[3][4]
The promise of technology, particularly automation and artificial intelligence (AI), is often presented as the definitive solution. The idea is simple: let machines handle the repetitive, administrative work, thereby freeing up doctors to do what they do best—care for people. But can automation truly deliver on this promise? The answer is a resounding yes, but with a critical caveat. The transformative power of automation is only realised when it is delivered through a single, fully integrated platform rather than a patchwork of disconnected "point solutions." A fragmented approach often just shifts the administrative burden, whereas a unified system eliminates it at its source, fundamentally redesigning clinic workflows for efficiency and reclaiming precious time for what matters most: the patient.
The Administrative Overload: A Day in the Life of a Modern Australian Clinician
To understand the need for integrated automation, one only needs to walk a mile in a clinician's shoes. The day often begins not with a patient, but with a screen, piecing together a patient's history from fragmented records. During the consultation, a constant battle is waged between engaging empathetically with the patient and diligently typing notes to ensure every detail is captured for clinical accuracy and medico-legal compliance. This dual focus can be a distraction from the therapeutic intervention at hand.[5]
However, the real administrative onslaught begins after the patient has left. The after-hours work that is a primary driver of burnout.[6] A single consultation can trigger a cascade of tasks: drafting a detailed referral letter to a specialist, generating a patient education letter to explain a new treatment plan, creating or updating a chronic disease care plan, and meticulously selecting the correct MBS item numbers to ensure the practice is remunerated for the care provided. Each of these tasks, when performed manually using disparate systems, consumes valuable minutes that quickly add up to hours. The dissatisfaction with this administrative load is rising, with 70% of Australian GPs in 2024 reporting dissatisfaction with the amount of administration associated with their work, a marked increase from 60% in 2023.[7]
It's a pervasive issue in Australian healthcare: the 'time-poverty' crisis. Clinicians enter the profession driven by a desire to care for patients, only to find themselves ensnared in a web of administrative tasks. From clinical notes and referral letters to billing codes and patient follow-ups, the non-clinical workload is immense and unrelenting. Studies and surveys consistently paint a grim picture, with a majority of Australian doctors reporting burnout, and a significant portion of their day—some estimate around 16%—is consumed by non-clinical activities.[1][2] This administrative burden is not just a matter of professional frustration; it directly erodes the time available for patient interaction, impacting the quality of care and threatening the sustainability of the medical workforce.[3][4]
The promise of technology, particularly automation and artificial intelligence (AI), is often presented as the definitive solution. The idea is simple: let machines handle the repetitive, administrative work, thereby freeing up doctors to do what they do best—care for people. But can automation truly deliver on this promise? The answer is a resounding yes, but with a critical caveat. The transformative power of automation is only realised when it is delivered through a single, fully integrated platform rather than a patchwork of disconnected "point solutions." A fragmented approach often just shifts the administrative burden, whereas a unified system eliminates it at its source, fundamentally redesigning clinic workflows for efficiency and reclaiming precious time for what matters most: the patient.
The Administrative Overload: A Day in the Life of a Modern Australian Clinician
To understand the need for integrated automation, one only needs to walk a mile in a clinician's shoes. The day often begins not with a patient, but with a screen, piecing together a patient's history from fragmented records. During the consultation, a constant battle is waged between engaging empathetically with the patient and diligently typing notes to ensure every detail is captured for clinical accuracy and medico-legal compliance. This dual focus can be a distraction from the therapeutic intervention at hand.[5]
However, the real administrative onslaught begins after the patient has left. The after-hours work that is a primary driver of burnout.[6] A single consultation can trigger a cascade of tasks: drafting a detailed referral letter to a specialist, generating a patient education letter to explain a new treatment plan, creating or updating a chronic disease care plan, and meticulously selecting the correct MBS item numbers to ensure the practice is remunerated for the care provided. Each of these tasks, when performed manually using disparate systems, consumes valuable minutes that quickly add up to hours. The dissatisfaction with this administrative load is rising, with 70% of Australian GPs in 2024 reporting dissatisfaction with the amount of administration associated with their work, a marked increase from 60% in 2023.[7]
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Try MediQo
AI Receptionists
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AI Receptionists
Book a demo
The Pitfall of Point Solutions: Swapping One Burden for Another
In an attempt to combat this overload, many clinics adopt standalone, single-function technologies. An AI scribe might be brought in to transcribe consultations, or a separate AI receptionist to answer phone calls. While these "point solutions" can seem like a step forward, they often fail to address the core problem and can even introduce new inefficiencies.
Consider a typical AI scribe tool, like Heidi Health or Lyrebird Health. It may accurately transcribe the doctor-patient conversation, but it delivers a block of text. This raw data is a dead end. The clinician must still manually review the transcript and then use that information to write a referral, populate a care plan, and determine the appropriate billing codes. The workflow is not automated; only a single task has been digitised. In contrast, MediQo's AI-Powered Medical Documentation is designed as part of an integrated ecosystem. The structured notes captured via real-time dictation don't just sit in a file; they become the intelligent engine that instantly powers Smart Referrals, Automated Care Plans and Treatment Plans, and provides the context for the Smart MBS Billing Assistant. The data flows seamlessly from one task to the next, eliminating manual duplication of effort.
Similarly, AI receptionist competitors like Sophiie.ai or Lyngo.ai focus primarily on answering calls. This is useful, but it's only a fraction of what's possible. MediQo’s AI Phone Receptionist is a complete front-of-house solution. It engages patients in lifelike conversation across more than 99 languages, intelligently allocates appropriate consult durations, and prepares pre-consult notes. This information is then integrated directly into the clinic's PMS, such as Best Practice or Cliniko, saving administrative time before the patient even walks through the door. This holistic approach transforms the entire patient intake process, something a simple answering service cannot achieve.
The Pitfall of Point Solutions: Swapping One Burden for Another
In an attempt to combat this overload, many clinics adopt standalone, single-function technologies. An AI scribe might be brought in to transcribe consultations, or a separate AI receptionist to answer phone calls. While these "point solutions" can seem like a step forward, they often fail to address the core problem and can even introduce new inefficiencies.
Consider a typical AI scribe tool, like Heidi Health or Lyrebird Health. It may accurately transcribe the doctor-patient conversation, but it delivers a block of text. This raw data is a dead end. The clinician must still manually review the transcript and then use that information to write a referral, populate a care plan, and determine the appropriate billing codes. The workflow is not automated; only a single task has been digitised. In contrast, MediQo's AI-Powered Medical Documentation is designed as part of an integrated ecosystem. The structured notes captured via real-time dictation don't just sit in a file; they become the intelligent engine that instantly powers Smart Referrals, Automated Care Plans and Treatment Plans, and provides the context for the Smart MBS Billing Assistant. The data flows seamlessly from one task to the next, eliminating manual duplication of effort.
Similarly, AI receptionist competitors like Sophiie.ai or Lyngo.ai focus primarily on answering calls. This is useful, but it's only a fraction of what's possible. MediQo’s AI Phone Receptionist is a complete front-of-house solution. It engages patients in lifelike conversation across more than 99 languages, intelligently allocates appropriate consult durations, and prepares pre-consult notes. This information is then integrated directly into the clinic's PMS, such as Best Practice or Cliniko, saving administrative time before the patient even walks through the door. This holistic approach transforms the entire patient intake process, something a simple answering service cannot achieve.
Expert Tips
Expert Tip: "Automating a single task, like transcription, is a temporary fix. To truly give time back to doctors, you must automate the entire clinical workflow, so that a single piece can intelligently drive referrals, billing, and care planning without manual intervention." - Arash Zohuri, CEO, MediQo
Expert Tip: "Automating a single task, like transcription, is a temporary fix. To truly give time back to doctors, you must automate the entire clinical workflow, so that a single piece can intelligently drive referrals, billing, and care planning without manual intervention." - Arash Zohuri, CEO, MediQo
The Platform Advantage: How Integrated Automation Creates Time
The fundamental difference between a collection of tools and a unified platform is the seamless flow of information. An integrated system like MediQo creates time by automating entire workflows, not just isolated tasks.[8][9][10]
The Consultation Workflow, Reimagined:
The process begins with the AI Phone Receptionist capturing key information 24/7. During the consultation, the doctor can focus on the patient, using voice commands to drive the AI-Powered Medical Documentation. This isn't just transcription; the AI captures structured data tailored to customisable templates. Should a complex case arise, the Augmented Differential Analysis feature can suggest alternative co-diagnoses based on the patient's symptoms and history, supporting the clinician's decision-making process without breaking the flow of the conversation.
The Post-Consultation Workflow, Automated:
This is where the most significant time savings are realised. The structured data captured during the visit becomes the single source of truth for all subsequent actions. With a few clicks, a comprehensive Smart Referral is generated, complete with all necessary clinical details. A personalised Patient Education Letter is automatically created to help the patient understand and adhere to their treatment plan. If required, an Automated Care Plan is populated based on the patient's history and health goals. Finally, the Smart MBS Billing Assistant analyses the consultation context and suggests the correct, compliant item numbers, ensuring accurate billing and maximising revenue. What previously took up to an hour of post-consultation admin can be accomplished in minutes.
Even telehealth, which often requires juggling multiple applications, is simplified. MediQo's Smart Embedded Telehealth combines secure video, integrated notes, and the Chatbot Assistant—powered by Australian Therapeutic Guidelines—all on a single screen.
The Platform Advantage: How Integrated Automation Creates Time
The fundamental difference between a collection of tools and a unified platform is the seamless flow of information. An integrated system like MediQo creates time by automating entire workflows, not just isolated tasks.[8][9][10]
The Consultation Workflow, Reimagined:
The process begins with the AI Phone Receptionist capturing key information 24/7. During the consultation, the doctor can focus on the patient, using voice commands to drive the AI-Powered Medical Documentation. This isn't just transcription; the AI captures structured data tailored to customisable templates. Should a complex case arise, the Augmented Differential Analysis feature can suggest alternative co-diagnoses based on the patient's symptoms and history, supporting the clinician's decision-making process without breaking the flow of the conversation.
The Post-Consultation Workflow, Automated:
This is where the most significant time savings are realised. The structured data captured during the visit becomes the single source of truth for all subsequent actions. With a few clicks, a comprehensive Smart Referral is generated, complete with all necessary clinical details. A personalised Patient Education Letter is automatically created to help the patient understand and adhere to their treatment plan. If required, an Automated Care Plan is populated based on the patient's history and health goals. Finally, the Smart MBS Billing Assistant analyses the consultation context and suggests the correct, compliant item numbers, ensuring accurate billing and maximising revenue. What previously took up to an hour of post-consultation admin can be accomplished in minutes.
Even telehealth, which often requires juggling multiple applications, is simplified. MediQo's Smart Embedded Telehealth combines secure video, integrated notes, and the Chatbot Assistant—powered by Australian Therapeutic Guidelines—all on a single screen.
Key Takeaways
Automation truly creates time by eliminating entire administrative workflows via a unified platform.
Automation truly creates time by eliminating entire administrative workflows via a unified platform.
The integrated system transforms clinical notes into instant referrals, care plans, and billing codes.
The integrated system transforms clinical notes into instant referrals, care plans, and billing codes.
Standalone tools only digitize single tasks and often introduce new manual data-transfer burdens.
Standalone tools only digitize single tasks and often introduce new manual data-transfer burdens.
Reclaimed time allows doctors to be more present, improving patient interaction and reducing their burnout risk.
Reclaimed time allows doctors to be more present, improving patient interaction and reducing their burnout risk.
Reinvesting Time: The Clinical and Business Impact
When automation genuinely gives time back to clinicians, the benefits ripple throughout the entire practice. For patients, it means having a doctor who is more present, attentive, and engaged during consultations.[11] It means receiving clear, easy-to-understand information about their health, which improves engagement and adherence to treatment plans.[12][13] The entire patient experience is elevated, from the first seamless phone call to the confidence that their care is being managed efficiently.
For clinicians, the impact is transformative. It means a reduction in spent on paperwork, leading to a better work-life balance and a significant decrease in the risk of burnout.[4] This reclaimed time can be reinvested into more complex patient cases, professional development, or simply taking a moment to breathe between appointments. The joy of practising medicine, so often eroded by administrative burdens, can be rediscovered.[14]
For the clinic as a business, the advantages are equally compelling. Efficient workflows can allow for more patients to be seen, or for longer, more valuable consultations to be offered. The enhanced accuracy of the Smart MBS Billing Assistant ensures that the practice is fully compensated for the services it provides. Meanwhile, Practice Insights provides managers with the data needed to track performance and make informed strategic decisions. With robust security measures, including Australian-based data hosting and compliance with standards like ISO 27001, and features like Team and Role Management, the platform ensures that this efficiency is delivered in a secure and compliant manner.
So, can automation in healthcare really give doctors more time with patients? The answer is an unequivocal yes, provided we look beyond simple, isolated tools. By embracing a single, fully integrated AI platform, Australian clinics can conquer the administrative overload, empower their clinicians to focus on care, and build a more sustainable, efficient, and patient-centred practice for the future.
Discover how MediQo's single, AI-powered platform can unify your clinic from the first call to the final bill. Request a Demo.
Reinvesting Time: The Clinical and Business Impact
When automation genuinely gives time back to clinicians, the benefits ripple throughout the entire practice. For patients, it means having a doctor who is more present, attentive, and engaged during consultations.[11] It means receiving clear, easy-to-understand information about their health, which improves engagement and adherence to treatment plans.[12][13] The entire patient experience is elevated, from the first seamless phone call to the confidence that their care is being managed efficiently.
For clinicians, the impact is transformative. It means a reduction in spent on paperwork, leading to a better work-life balance and a significant decrease in the risk of burnout.[4] This reclaimed time can be reinvested into more complex patient cases, professional development, or simply taking a moment to breathe between appointments. The joy of practising medicine, so often eroded by administrative burdens, can be rediscovered.[14]
For the clinic as a business, the advantages are equally compelling. Efficient workflows can allow for more patients to be seen, or for longer, more valuable consultations to be offered. The enhanced accuracy of the Smart MBS Billing Assistant ensures that the practice is fully compensated for the services it provides. Meanwhile, Practice Insights provides managers with the data needed to track performance and make informed strategic decisions. With robust security measures, including Australian-based data hosting and compliance with standards like ISO 27001, and features like Team and Role Management, the platform ensures that this efficiency is delivered in a secure and compliant manner.
So, can automation in healthcare really give doctors more time with patients? The answer is an unequivocal yes, provided we look beyond simple, isolated tools. By embracing a single, fully integrated AI platform, Australian clinics can conquer the administrative overload, empower their clinicians to focus on care, and build a more sustainable, efficient, and patient-centred practice for the future.
Discover how MediQo's single, AI-powered platform can unify your clinic from the first call to the final bill. Request a Demo.
Linked Research References
Australian Medical Association. (2019). Survey on administrative workload in general practice.
MJA Insight. (2023). Burnout in medicine leading to clinical errors and 'severe stress'.
RACGP. (2021). 'Hundreds of forms every day': How paperwork can lead to GP burnout.[5]
RACGP. (2024). Health of the Nation Report.[7]
The Commonwealth Fund. (2024). Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System.[15]
Various Authors. (2015). Australian doctors' non-clinical activities: results from the Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life (MABEL) survey of doctors. Australian Health Review.
Linked Research References
Australian Medical Association. (2019). Survey on administrative workload in general practice.
MJA Insight. (2023). Burnout in medicine leading to clinical errors and 'severe stress'.
RACGP. (2021). 'Hundreds of forms every day': How paperwork can lead to GP burnout.[5]
RACGP. (2024). Health of the Nation Report.[7]
The Commonwealth Fund. (2024). Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System.[15]
Various Authors. (2015). Australian doctors' non-clinical activities: results from the Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life (MABEL) survey of doctors. Australian Health Review.
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