Mackay innovation to save time visiting doctor

An app that will streamline check-in processes for patients at medical clinics – and potentially reduce waiting times – has received funding through the Palaszczuk Government’s Advance Queensland Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch today announced $50,000 of funding to Mackay GP Dr John McIntosh to develop the app for commercialisation.

“This is a great idea and I think those of us who have ever spent time in a doctor’s waiting room will applaud this concept,” Ms Enoch said.

“Using Dr McIntosh’s innovation, patients will be able to complete the registration process on their mobile phone or tablet prior to arrival at the clinic, avoiding the need to fill out forms which may add to the waiting time.

“This is a simple idea with universal appeal that could be the start of a new business with global reach.”

Dr McIntosh uses an existing app for patients at his Rural View clinic and, with the support of a university graduate, is aiming to expand the functionality and develop a program to allow other medical practices to also benefit.

The grant allows Dr McIntosh to partner with the CQUniversity Australia and employ a graduate with coding skills to develop the new technology to enhance the existing app.

“At the present time the process of acquiring patient information involves completing paper forms and then manually inputting the data into the medical practice’s software,” Dr McIntosh said.

“I think clinics throughout Queensland, Australia and potentially the world will recognise the inherent time savings and efficiency gains associated with this innovation.

“I want this Mackay idea to be the start of something bigger – something capable of being expanded into a more comprehensive package that is more widely usable.”

Dr McIntosh hopes to have the technology developed and ready for deployment within 12 months.

The Advance Queensland Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program was launched in September 2015 and since that time the Australian Council of Learned Academies, in their ‘Translating research for economic and social benefit’ report, recommended other states, territories and the Federal Government adopt a similar model.

More information on the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships program, including details on how to apply, can be found on the Advance Queensland website.

Media contact: Daniel Lato 0438 830 201