Approximately 40 clients attended from NSW, VIC & QLD, both single users and groups, novice and experienced.

 

Owen started by demonstrating some of the new estimate functions in the upcoming version 5.8 of Access Anaesthetics. A preliminary list of changes can be viewed here. This will be released later in April 2010.

 

Louise Swift, a Medicare business development officer, then gave a brief presentation on Eclipse claiming, and spent considerable time answering questions from the audience. The feedback was that this was a very useful opportunity to obtain first hand information from Medicare. Business development officers are available in all states to assist clients with setting up online claiming.

 

Later Alastair Stott from Schmik demonstrated his Bill application with which handheld devices are able to synchronise with Access Anaesthetics. For more information, see Alastair’s website at www.schmik.com.au.

 

Throughout the afternoon, clients were able to try out the new functions in Access Anaesthetics version 5.8 on the PCs provided. Margaret and Owen provided some hands-on assistance to clients on individual issues, and clients also assisted each other. One of the best aspects of the afternoon was the opportunity for clients to communicate with each other, to discuss issues of mutual interest, and to compare notes on how they managed particular tasks in their own practices.

 

The networking among attendees was considered the most useful part of the workshop and the feeling was that there should be more such opportunities. The discussions continued with drinks and canapés at 5, and a number of conscientious clients were noted to be still reviewing their practices in the Vibe bar quite late in the evening. Many of the attendees also attended the ASA Practice Management workshop held the next day at the Sebel Hotel.