What is Telehealth?
Telehealth are patient consultations provided by healthcare professionals via virtual care. This can involve both phone or video consultation. It can be beneficial for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention all where a physical examination is determined not needed.
It allows for remote access to health services where a face to face appointment may not be possible. This can include tele consults, remote monitoring of health conditions, and digital health tools.
How does telehealth work?
Typically, when an appointment is required, a clinic is contacted, and the patient physically goes to the clinic for the appointment. In telehealth appointments, the appointment is conducted over video chat or audio phone call. It works through the provision of monitoring patient health and clinical information via telehealth appointments. Telehealth is an aid to improve patient outcomes to be used in conjunction with face appointments.
Benefits to telehealth
Improved access
It has been a big step in providing healthcare services to all those around Australia. Now, people in rural and remote areas don’t have to travel far to see a doctor regularly.
Teleservices have been in Australia for some time, however it became widely known during Covid pandemic. The Department of Health announced the Medicare Telehealth program during the pandemic allowing for distant access. It is now widely used by many people since it became more accessible to the public.
Services include
Telehealth medical care can include many services such as specialist and outpatient services, primary care, community health, emergency departments and inpatient services such as Hospital in the Home.
These consultations can be conducted by various healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, specialists, allied health professionals, nurses or midwives, and mental health providers.
It plays a crucial role in public health initiatives, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic. It helps in screening, monitoring, and providing guidance to individuals, reducing the risk of viral transmission in healthcare settings.
Health Professionals
There are benefits to health care providers which include a high patient reach and reduced patient no-shows, providing real time assistance for difficult cases and emergencies. It gives the chances for medical staff to work remotely and have reduced travel time and travel expenses. It allows for onsite consulting rooms with more availability for other services.
Patient benefits
There are benefits for the patient which include reduced waiting times supporting a faster diagnosis and a more appropriate treatment. These consultations allow for improved and continuous quality of care by giving the opportunity to consult their doctor between physical appointments. It allows for reduced travel time and expense when visiting the doctor especially for those times when one must leave work to seek medical help.
Telehealth provides ongoing monitoring and management for individuals with chronic conditions. Routine check-ins, facilitated through remote consultations and digital health devices, empower healthcare providers to proactively track patients’ health statuses and take timely interventions.
How does Telehealth work?
It’s a service offered by medical clinics, either on-site with added telehealth options or entirely online. These services feature Australian doctors who consult through video chat.
Some services provide digitally supported telehealth, where individuals fill a form, get assessed by a doctor, and have a follow-up phone consultation. These services enhance access to ongoing care, reduce wait times, minimize unnecessary referrals, and increase patient satisfaction.
It provides flexibility for individuals to access care according to their work and family schedules. This method reduces treatment interruptions, letting people see a doctor anytime and get medicine easily. However, it’s important to acknowledge that telehealth is not a substitute for regular GP care; rather, it serves as an adjunct for times when seeing a GP for minor conditions may not be feasible.
Need a medical consult?
Is it for everyone?
It is no doubt a great addition to our healthcare system however it doesn’t replace the need for face to face appointments. Some consultations, like physical exams and face-to-face counseling, cannot be done through telehealth services.
Additional obstacles to telehealth might involve technical challenges and concerns about security and privacy breaches. Many individuals, particularly older generations, harbor a lack of trust in technology, contributing to these barriers.
