NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

Allied health care provider Habit Health is using a clinical algorithm to initially assess people’s injuries and suggest the best treatment pathway.

Phio asks people questions about their injuries using an online chat-like function that takes around 15 minutes to complete.

If Phio flags that the person most likely has a musculoskeletal condition, the assessment is sent to a physio to review and get back to them about treatment, but the tool may also recommend the patient be seen by their GP or seek more urgent assistance.

Habit Health chief innovation officer Mark Shirley says Phio, powered by machine learning, was launched about six months ago and is now being integrated into their online booking tool.

If the patient consents to sharing their location, the booking tool can recognise where that patient is and open up the clinic that is closest to them to make a booking.

Read more here.