Telehealth Consult with Your GP vs General Telehealth Provider

Unsure when to head to your GP for a consult versus when to hop online for a virtual consult with a telehealth doctor? Of course, there are upsides to either option, as well as limitations. In this guide, I’ll break down the key differences and how to choose for your specific situation.

• Your medical issue plays a key role in which type of consultation is best for you. Basically, minor illnesses, simple prescriptions, routine follow-ups and medical certificates can often be easily looked after through a telehealth consult. More complex needs, such as physical injuries, urgent or quickly escalating symptoms, require a doctor’s visit, as you may need to be treated in person. In between, there are a lot of grey areas, which include chronic conditions and mental health care, which may benefit from either, depending on your personal circumstances.
• For example, convenience and access may impact your choice. If you cannot get to the doctor’s office in person during business hours or live far away from the next GP clinic, telehealth consults may speed up your access to care and also give you greater access to follow-ups. You’ll also save time if your doctor books up in advance or often has a full waiting room, with long wait times. In this case, telehealth may make it easier for you to have timely access to care and comply with discussed treatment plans or simply quickly call in for a follow-up.
• Continuity of care is a very important aspect to consider, in particular if you are less tech-savvy. Having access to My Health Record and ensuring your primary care physician oversees any virtual treatment you receive can be key to good telehealth outcomes. Also, you may feel more comfortable with your GP who you have established a rapport with and who knows your medical history. Some of this can be addressed by using a high-quality telehealth provider and assisting in maintaining your My Health Record – for example, by keeping an electronic diary of symptoms.
• Comfort may also play a role in your decision. Some patients feel more comfortable and safer discussing sensitive medical issues from their own home, while others feel it is too impersonal and may take greater comfort in seeing their doctor face-to-face.
• Bulk billing and out-of-pocket costs can also sway your decision. Although quite a few telehealth providers offer some level of bulk billing, not all offer Medicare rebates, and some do not offer any rebate. On the other hand, costs can be lower for virtual health care, even before any rebates.
• Physical examinations are limited via telehealth, although a virtual doctor may use photos, video, and monitoring devices to gain greater insight into your condition.
• After hours, your choices may be limited to online GPs, urgent care clinics, or the A&E. While telehealth may be the quickest option, depending on the severity of your condition, you may need to head to an open after-hours option. Following best practice, telehealth doctors will refer you to your nearest A&E if your condition warrants it.
• In emergencies, online consultations are seriously limited and can only provide assistance designed to stabilise you while you make your way to the nearest emergency room or clinic.

If you’re unsure what to do, here’s a quick checklist for you to refer to.

Routine Consults

These are suited well for telehealth and include repeat scripts, going through test results, mental health treatment plan check-ins, routine follow-ups, and medical certificates. You’ll save time and money by using telehealth doctors.

New or Concerning Symptoms

If you have new symptoms – that are not routine matters like a cold - or experience a sudden worsening, you should seek urgent in-person care. Examples are persistent pain, lumps, and breathing difficulties. Often, you may require a physical exam.

Continuity of Care

Make sure you have regular check-ins with your GP, ideally at least once within 12 months. This ensures your primary doctor understands your medical history and keeps an overview of symptoms. Most changing telehealth doctors cannot offer the same level of follow-up and care.

Check Billing and Eligibility

As not all telehealth services are bulk billed, double-check your coverage before any telehealth consult. If your GP clinic does not offer fully bulk-billed services, you may, conversely, lower your out-of-pocket cost using telehealth for routine consults.

In Emergencies

Head to an urgent care clinic or the A&E. Call an ambulance if necessary. Telehealth can only provide some assistance to help stabilise you remotely, but should not replace contacting emergency services.

One of the best options can be to make use of your GP clinic’s telehealth services. While it may not be as cost-effective, it will provide a greater level of convenience for routine consults, yet help maintain continuity of care. Most GPs offer some level of after-hours care and online follow-ups, too.

The choice between an online or in-person consult depends entirely on your needs. In-person care provides essential physical exams and is best suited for emergencies and complex diagnoses, while telehealth offers greater convenience and access in routine care situations. Using a mix of both telehealth and in-person consultations can provide more complete coverage, especially if getting to the doctor’s clinic proves tricky for your lifestyle or at your location.

You can check out my other articles on MediCompare for in-depth reviews of telehealth providers and to read up on specific conditions and telehealth specialisations.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a qualified health professional for health-related concerns.