Telehealth Appointments - Bridging The Gap In Healthcare
By Kimberley Edwards, MSN, FNP-C Reviewed by Dr. Vishnu Gopalan, Chief Medical Officer - Hola Health, Updated on 22 August, 2024

Contents

How is telehealth changing Australia?
Telehealth was rapidly implemented in Australia as a crucial response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring the continuity of medical care while minimising the risk of virus transmission. This change in healthcare delivery made virtual consultations, remote monitoring, and follow-up care possible during the pandemic. This significantly reduced the need for in-person visits adhering to the social distancing guidelines. The success of telehealth during the pandemic safeguarded public health in adversity. It highlighted the potential for long-term integration into the Australian healthcare system, prompting ongoing support and policy adjustments to sustain its use post-pandemic. According to the Australian Government’s health and aged care website, just over half of Australian population used telehealth for GP services in 2022. Over 118.2 million telehealth services were delivered by 95,000+ healthcare practitioners between March 2020 and July 2022, showing the widespread adoption of telehealth services.How does telehealth work?
Telehealth delivers healthcare online using telecommunications technology. Patients can connect with registered Australian healthcare providers through video calls over the internet. Online doctors have the same qualifications as in-person doctors and are registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency. Patients can identify a reputed telehealth provider, request a telehealth appointment, fill in their details, pay via a secure payment gateway, and speak to a telehealth doctor online. What can be treated by telehealth and what are its limitations? Telehealth can be an effective solution for the following medical issues:- Minor illnesses (Colds, coughs, sore throat, fevers, digestion issues, headaches etc)
- Minor injuries
- Mental health concerns
- Management of chronic conditions such as asthma
- Seasonal allergies
- Addressing parental concerns
- Seeking medical advice in general
- People seeking prescriptions for normal medicines
- Online medical certificates for work/university/school
- Remote monitoring
- Post-operative care
- Skin issues such as acne
- Referrals for diagnostic tests or specialists
- Emergencies such as accidents
- Physical checks
- Conducting diagnostic tests such as blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, MRI, CT-scan
- Vaccinations
- Surgery
- Physical therapy
Why I Like Telehealth Appointments?
Accessibility: Accessible healthcare means different things to different people.
1. Transport
2. Cost
- Telehealth video consultations: Cheaper than the average gap fee, these 8-minute consultations and a cost-effective choice for multi-day medical certificates, multiple prescriptions, and specialist and pathology referrals.
- Medical certificates: The Australian Medical Association’s guideline’s for medical certificates advise that a medical certificate may be issued ‘based on a medical condition observed by the doctor or reported by the patient and accepted by the doctor.’ Because of this, a face to face appointment (and the associated cost) is often unnecessary. Hola Health, for example, provides a telehealth medical certificates whereby a patient fills in an online form requesting a certificate and reporting their symptoms. An Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registered doctor or Nurse Practitioner reviews the written request rather (rather than a in person one). This reduces time for the appointment, and thus the cost.
- Online Prescriptions: Similar to the telehealth medical certificate process, Hola Health telehealth prescriptions also use a form to minimise the face-to-face time required to discuss the details of the request, and in turn the cost to the patient. Use the form to request your medication and a doctor or nurse practitioner will see you for a short telehealth video consult within 15 minutes of the request.
3. Availability
4. Supply
5. Convenience
What Are Telehealth Appointments Best Suited For?
1. Online Prescriptions
- an exacerbation of asthma symptoms,
- increase in normally controlled blood pressure,
- or withdrawal symptoms.
2. Medical Certificates
3. Referrals
4. Reassurance
Are telehealth services covered under Medicare?
Medicare doesn’t cover all telehealth services. It is better to check with the telehealth provider to understand what services are covered under Medicare. At Hola, Mental Health Treatment Plans (formerly known as mental health care plans) are fully bulk-billed under the Medicare system.How to choose the right telehealth platform?
Choosing the right telehealth provider is important to ensure you speak to registered Australian medical practitioners and can get valid and legitimate instant scripts or online medical certificates. Here are some guidelines for finding a genuine telehealth platform:- The telehealth provider must have their physical address and support location mentioned on their site.
- Australian doctors registered with AHPRA must provide these services using a secure platform
- Look for a secure website address such as https://
- Read the reviews and testimonials by other patients to understand the service quality and speed
- Look for data-protection protocols of the telehealth service. They should also maintain strict patient-confidentiality
- They should have a secure payment gateway
- Online medical certificates or any medical documentation should have the doctor’s name and other details.
- Support information should be readily available if any technical difficulties arise.
Feeling sick and unsure why? Speak with a GP online in 15 minutes.
Feeling sick and unsure why? Speak with a GP online in 15 minutes.
Reference
What we treat
- Cough
- Nausea & vomiting
- Fever
- Hayfever
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Acne
- Hair loss
- Gout
- Eczema
- Rosacea
- Sunburn
- UTI
- Erectile dysfunction
- Contraception
- Morning sickness
- Morning after pill
- Prostate health
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Grief & loss
- Antidepressants
- Premature ejaculation
- Asthma
- Blood pressure
- Blood thinners
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol
- Migraines & headaches
- Allergies
- Body ache
- Heartburn & reflux
- Sleep disorder
- Smoking cessation
- Pain relief
- Gastro
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Disclaimer
This content is created for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. For emergencies please immediately contact 000.
Get affordable healthcare on your terms, with quick access to qualified, Australian-registered telehealth doctors & health practitioners, 24/7, 365 days a year. No more searching for ‘doctors near me‘ – Hola connects you instantly.
Address: 79 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
For urgent medical help & in case of emergency,
call 000.
Hola Health App
Get affordable healthcare on your terms, with quick access to qualified, Australian-registered telehealth doctors & health practitioners, 24/7, 365 days a year. No more searching for ‘doctors near me‘ – Hola connects you instantly.
Address: 79 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
For urgent medical help & in case of emergency,
call 000.
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