Online healthcare has become a mainstream option in Australia’s healthcare system, enabling patients to consult doctors and other clinicians via telehealth from the comfort of home.
Telehealth allows you to connect with a healthcare provider by phone or video call, and it was rapidly expanded in 2020 to maintain care while keeping everyone safe.
Since 1 January 2022, online healthcare through telehealth services has been a permanent part of the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS). This means eligible Australians can now access a wide range of healthcare services remotely with Medicare rebates available.
However, not all telehealth consultations are fully bulk billed, and some providers may charge a gap fee, so out-of-pocket costs may still apply, depending on the service and practitioner.
The question is: when should you use an online telehealth service instead of an in-person visit? Below, we outline key situations where telemedicine shines, from managing chronic disease to staying safe during a pandemic.
1. When You Need Convenient, Quick Access to Care
One of the biggest benefits of online healthcare is the convenience. A telehealth consultation can save you time and effort. Especially if you have a busy schedule, mobility issues, or simply find it hard to get to a clinic. Telehealth allows you to get the care you need without travelling or sitting in a waiting room.
This means you can have a doctor visit via a secure video call during a work break or from your couch at home. Many medical centres and healthcare providers now offer telehealth services. That includes after-hours and weekend appointments, so you can find care when needed.
For non-emergency health concerns that don’t require a physical examination, an online doctor consultation is often just as effective as an in-person appointment in addressing your needs. The use of telehealth is a great first step for advice, referrals, prescriptions, or follow-up questions when convenience is a top priority.
2. For Managing Chronic Disease and Follow-up Visits
If you’re managing a chronic condition (such as diabetes, asthma, or hypertension), regular check-ins with your GP are essential. But they don’t always require a face-to-face visit. Telehealth consultations are ideal for routine follow-ups and chronic disease management.
Your healthcare provider can review your symptoms, discuss test results, adjust medications, and monitor your condition via telehealth consultation. Australians with long-term health conditions have embraced telemedicine for ongoing care.
Telehealth provides a continuity of care. By letting patients stay in touch with their GP or specialist more frequently, without the hassle of constant travel. This means better management of your condition and potentially improved outcomes, as issues can be addressed promptly through a quick telehealth visit.
If anything urgent or physical comes up, the clinician will advise you to come in person. Otherwise, managing chronic diseases via telehealth first can be a smart, efficient choice in your healthcare routine.
3. When You Need Mental Health Support from Home
Mental health is another area where telehealth provides great value. Many psychologists, counsellors, and GPs offer therapy or mental health consultations via telehealth. If you’re feeling anxious, depressed, or need a counselling session, a telehealth consultation can connect you with a mental health professional from the privacy of your home.
This is especially helpful if you feel more at ease speaking about personal issues in a familiar environment. Medicare supports telehealth for mental health through programs like Better Access, so you can often get rebates for these telehealth services.
Online sessions (often via secure video call) are as effective as face-to-face therapy for many patients, with high patient satisfaction rates. The convenience also means you’re less likely to skip appointments, whether you live in a city or a remote area, you can maintain regular therapy or GP check-ins for mental health.
Telehealth allows more Australians to access mental health care promptly, which is crucial for ongoing support. If you have a mental health care plan, ask your provider about a telehealth consultation to see if it’s right for you.
4. If You Live in Rural or Remote Areas
For Australians living in rural or remote areas, accessing healthcare traditionally meant long drives or costly travel to the nearest clinic or hospital. Telehealth improves this situation by bringing health services to you, rather than the other way around.
Instead of delaying care or travelling great distances for a routine consultation, patients in remote locations can use digital health technology to see their GP or specialist via telemedicine. This not only saves time and travel expenses but also ensures more timely care. Often, rural patients can see their healthcare provider via telehealth for many issues that don’t require a hands-on exam.
The differences between telehealth and in-person care are minimal for many general practice needs. You still speak with a qualified clinician, review your health concerns, and get advice or prescriptions as needed. Telehealth has greatly improved access to healthcare for remote communities, helping to create a stronger community of care by connecting patients with providers across distance.
If laboratory tests or a physical procedure are needed, you might still have to visit a medical centre in person, but starting with a telehealth consultation can triage and address many problems right away. In short, telehealth is a lifeline for remote and rural patients, ensuring geography isn’t a barrier to quality health services.
5. To Reduce Infection Risk (COVID-19 and Beyond)
Another key time to choose telehealth is when you want to avoid exposure to illness or prevent spreading your own illness to others. During the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth became an essential tool for seeing the doctor while staying safely distanced. Even beyond COVID-19, if you have mild flu-like symptoms or other contagious illnesses, a virtual visit allows you to get medical advice without walking into a clinic full of people.
Telehealth consultations are not only convenient, they also ensure the safety of others by reducing the spread of illness. This means if you’ve been told to self-isolate or you’re just cautious due to a health scare, a telehealth video visit or phone call with your doctor is the best first step. The doctor can evaluate your health concerns via telehealth and then decide if you need testing, medication, or an in-person follow-up.
Likewise, if you are immunocompromised or caring for someone vulnerable, using telehealth for routine needs adds an extra layer of protection. By choosing an online consultation for issues that can be handled remotely, you contribute to public health and still get the care you need.
6. When You Need Simple Services like Prescriptions or Certificates
Telehealth is also a great option for quick, simple medical needs. If you just need a prescription refill, a medical certificate for work, or a referral, an online doctor consultation can often take care of it without an in-person appointment. Rather than scheduling a full clinic visit for paperwork or routine questions, telehealth lets you handle these tasks in minutes.
GPs offering telehealth can send prescriptions electronically to your pharmacy and issue medical certificates via email. This is not only convenient but also fast – a brief telehealth visit can resolve the issue on the spot. Of course, your healthcare provider will ensure it’s appropriate to do so via telemedicine (for example, some medications or conditions might still require a physical check).
But for many cases, especially repeat prescriptions or follow-up questions after lab results, telehealth first is a sensible approach. Telehealth use during the pandemic showed that a lot of routine care can be effectively managed remotely.
Australians quickly used telehealth services for things like getting a script for chronic medications or discussing minor ailments, with outcomes as satisfactory as face-to-face visits.
If you need something that can’t be done remotely, such as a physical examination, your doctor will advise you to attend an in-person visit. Otherwise, save yourself the trip and handle those simple healthcare needs through an online telemedicine service.
7. Because Australians Support Telehealth (And So Does Medicare)
Both patients and providers in Australia have seen the advantages of telehealth. There has been a rapid shift to telehealth in recent years, and satisfaction is high. In fact, over 89% of Australians who had a telehealth appointment would use telehealth again if offered.
This shows that telehealth improves patient satisfaction and is here to stay as part of our healthcare system. Telehealth coverage under Medicare means these services are widely accessible. The government supports and reimburses telehealth, covering eligible services just like in-person doctor visits.
This telehealth versus in-person blend gives patients more options. You can feel confident that a telehealth consultation with a GP or other provider will provide the same expert advice and follow-up care as an office visit, as clinicians adhere to the same standards of care.
The Australian healthcare system has integrated telehealth to enhance the community of care, not replace in-person care outright. In summary, use telehealth when it offers a clear convenience or safety advantage for you. It’s an effective complement to in-person care for primary care and beyond.
Embracing Online Healthcare with ClinicALL
Online healthcare is all about getting the care you need when and where you need it. The benefits of telehealth: convenience, accessibility, and safety. Make it an excellent choice in the scenarios above.
By knowing when to choose telehealth versus going in person, you can take full advantage of Australia’s modern digital health offerings. ClinicALL is here to help you do just that. We provide GP consultations, digital prescriptions, and medical certificates online 24/7. So you can get the healthcare you need anytime without the hassle.
Our licensed Australian doctors conduct thorough telehealth consultations. May it be via secure video or phone, ensuring you receive professional medical advice and treatment plans. With Medicare-backed rebates and a focus on quality, ClinicALL makes it easy to get the healthcare support you need from home.
Telehealth provides a convenient first step for most general health concerns. Our doctors guide you through the next steps if you need an in-person follow-up.
Try ClinicALL’s online doctor consultation services today and take charge of your health with confidence and convenience.