Technology is a big part of our lives and a big part of the health sector. The right technology can improve workflow and make ways of working and interacting with customers and patients more efficient. In the May issue of Retail Pharmacy Assistants, we spoke with Chief Medical Officer and integrative GP Dr Charlotte Middleton to gain insights into a “leading primary healthcare technology company”, MedicalDirector, and how it can help to improve workflow at your pharmacy.
What is your role at MedicalDirector and what does it involve?
I’m the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), which means I’m primarily responsible for leading and implementing the clinical direction of the organisation and for providing clinical oversight to the delivery, quality and efficiency of healthcare services. 
At MedicalDirector, I’m a part of the medical team and provide day-to-day guidance and lead the clinical decisions in the business.
As a clinician myself for more than 21 years, I’ve witnessed the far-reaching impact that technology has on healthcare, and my role as CMO at MedicalDirector is in driving better patient outcomes through the delivery of health technology solutions.
I regularly host panel discussions, appear on TV segments and educational videos, and contribute to media and health publications.
Can you provide a little insight into the company and the story behind it? What is the ultimate goal of MedicalDirector?
At MedicalDirector, we believe that technology can enable ideal ways of working and interacting with patients, generating insights, or living healthily yourself.
MedicalDirector is a leading primary healthcare technology company that for more than 25 years has provided innovative, proprietary software solutions that help pharmacies, general practice and specialist medical practices deliver care to their patients.
Currently, more than 23,000 healthcare professionals use MedicalDirector to manage and deliver 80 million-plus patient consultations a year.
Perusing the website, it looks like MedicalDirector is very much focused on providing solutions to healthcare professionals. How does the company do this and, specifically, how does MedicalDirector offer solutions to pharmacy industry professionals?
At MedicalDirector, we believe technology can enable better patient care.
Whether you’re a pharmacist, GP, specialist, nurse, or other healthcare professional, our intuitive software solutions are designed to support you in delivering healthcare to your patients, safely and efficiently.
MedicalDirector provides innovative, world-class clinical and practice management software for medical practices with MedicalDirector Helix, Clinical, Pracsoft and Bluechip.
MedicalDirector provides a comprehensive referential medicines database for pharmacists, doctors, hospitals, and the education sector, with MedicalDirector AusDI integrated and standalone platforms.
Can you talk us through AusDI and how this platform may be of benefit within retail pharmacy and specifically to retail pharmacy assistants?
AusDI, MedicalDirector’s extensive collection of referential medicines information and decision support content, is accessed by tens of thousands of health professionals in clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, and government facilities across Australia.
Compiled by Australian pharmacists under the guidance of an editorial advisory committee, the content is updated daily and published monthly, in line with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
The inclusion of IM Gateway, Don’t Rush to Crush, and – first of its kind in Australia – Natural Medicines content unlocks a new level of interactive, evidence-based data on the effectiveness and safety of traditional and integrative medicine products and formulations.
AusDI enables quick access to comprehensive information about pharmaceutical, over-the-counter, complementary medicines, and integrative therapies and their interactions from the convenience of a single-medicines information platform.
By providing the most current and objective data on medicines and various medical conditions, AusDI seeks to increase clinical awareness, enhance health literacy, and improve patient outcomes.
Many of AusDI’s retail pharmacy assistant users find real value in its easy-to-use interface, intuitive search capabilities, patient counselling tips, and the convenience of being able to access high-quality, third-party content integrations from a single platform.
AusDI also helps to support the compliance requirements featured in the Pharmacy Board of Australia and Pharmacy Registration Board of Western Australia’s list of essential references for pharmacists.
What are three key things that pharmacy assistants should know about MedicalDirector?
AusDI is a comprehensive and up-to-date database of independent drug monographs, pharmaceutical company product information, consumer medicine information, product summaries, drug product images, interactions, and safety monographs – as well as content from IM Gateway, Don’t Rush to Crush, and TRC Natural Medicines. MedicalDirector is the most accurate drug database in Australia, curated by Australian pharmacists, updated daily, and published monthly, in line with the PBS.
Pharmacies can arrange a free trial of AusDI at ausdi.com/try-for-free.
To find out more and to read the full interview as it appears in the May issue of Retail Pharmacy Assistants e-magazine, visit: rpassistants.com.au/magazines/retail-pharmacy-assistants-may-2021/
