Dr Talat Uppal1,2,3,4, Ms Sarah Yeomans1,4, Ms Khika Withnell1,4, Ms Mariah Amjad1,4, Dr Megan Young1,4, Ms Lauren McCaughey1,5
1Women's Health Road, Frenchs Forest, Australia, 2Macquarie University, Macquarie, Australia, 3Western Sydney University, Parramatta, Australia, 4Bleed Better, FRENCHS FOREST, Australia, 5University of Sydney, Darlinghurst, Australia
Biography:
Dr Talat Uppal is an Obstetrician & Gynaecologist who works at Macquarie University and Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospitals as a Visiting Medical Officer.
She is the Director of Women’s Health Road (an RACGP accredited practice) and has set up an innovative integrated multidisciplinary model.
Her niche interest is the management of women with abnormal menstrual bleeding (AUB) and have founded Australia’s first AUB management Hub a hybrid, digitally enhanced model of care.
She has also organised a co-located charity that has a bleed better initiative.
She is a Clinical Senior lecturer in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Macquarie University.
Abstract:
Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is an under recognised medical condition, that affects up to one-third of perimenopausal women worldwide, leading to significant health, social, and economic burdens. The Women’s Health Road (WHR) Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Hub, in partnership with various stakeholders, is pioneering the development of a standardised HMB clinical pathway – to improve diagnosis, treatment access, and health literacy. This comprehensive digital strategy integrates advanced technologies, including AI-driven scribe tools to streamline workflows, and support communication in the multidisciplinary team, real-time decision-making.
The digital ecosystem further addresses equity through culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) resource development and co-designed AI consultation models for South Asian communities. Initiatives include VR for anxiety reduction during outpatient procedures and updated coding practices with CSIRO for accurate data collection. Projects also focus on mapping iron profile reference ranges across Australia, highlighting gender discrepancies and diagnostic challenges, with plans to align with national guidelines. By leveraging AI and digital innovation, this initiative aims to transform HMB management, reduce disparities, and improve outcomes for perimenopausal women nationwide. We would want to share the mapping of the digital ecosystem done in collaboration with the University of Sydney (Digital Health Interns, funded by Digital Health CRC).