How Telehealth is Streamlining Access to Healthcare

Telehealth has been on the rise since 2018, but since the pandemic, it’s become a popular mainstream solution for many Australians [1,3]. Changes in legislation and the wider availability of both providers and Medicare rebates have improved access and made telehealth more affordable. In the midst of our cost-of-living crisis and soaring healthcare costs, many regional, remote, and rural patients, as well as those on lower incomes, face hurdles in seeking timely healthcare. Telehealth is part of the solution. If you are unsure whether telehealth is for you, here is a list of possible advantages to accessing care online. For more information on specific providers, head to MediCompare’s in-depth provider reviews or comparison pages.

Key Ways Telehealth Streamlines Access

Geographic: Telehealth bridges the gap between patients living in metro areas and elsewhere [2]. Outside of metro areas, access to healthcare, especially specialists or affordable NSW Health-run specialist clinics, can be limited. By moving some of your healthcare appointments online, you can save on travel time and costs and access medical expertise and higher-quality services available in other parts of Australia. Sometimes, this also cuts wait times, as many telehealth providers offer appointments for referrals within several hours and often faster access to specialist care, too. In essence, telehealth bridges the gap between metro areas and other parts of Australia to some degree.
Convenience and Flexibility: Patients also benefit from having doctors’ consults from the comfort and convenience of their own home, workplaces, or local clinics via phone or video call. For example, telehealth is now a key component of how aged care residents access appointments. An online consultation is easier for patients with mobility issues and for those who want their family or carer present. Some aged care staff can also assist by providing specific equipment to access video calls and to conduct live physical assessments, such as blood pressure or blood sugar levels. For parents of young children, telehealth can also provide fast and convenient access to a doctor’s advice for non-critical illnesses, while juggling the demands of caretaking and work.
Fast, Easy Access: As mentioned above, many telehealth providers offer very fast access (sometimes within minutes) to consultations. This can make a tangible difference, as many acute and chronic conditions benefit from prompt treatment. Timely consults can lead to earlier diagnosis and prevent patients’ conditions from worsening, avoiding potentially costly additional treatment down the track. But fast, easy access to healthcare via telehealth can also play a key role during floods, high temperatures, bushfires, and other emergencies. In fact, these emergencies were part of the reason the Australian government originally extended access to telehealth under MBS post-COVID.
Continuity of Care: By integrating telehealth into the Medicare Benefits Scheme (MBS), the government ensured better access to affordable (rebated) care and greater continuity of care. Most telehealth providers now record diagnoses and treatments directly in My Health Record, meaning your regular GP or any future healthcare professional you see has a better insight into your medical history. Keeping your regular doctor in the loop is crucial for managing and preventing chronic health conditions from worsening. It reduces overall costs, too.
Cost and Time Savings: Regardless of where you live, telehealth is available with less wait time, often during extended opening hours (or even 24/7). Thanks to the greater number of telehealth providers, you can also shop around and choose a provider that offers bulk billing or lower costs. Telehealth consults tend to be more affordable than in-person visits, owing to lower provider overheads.
Improved Safety and Public Health: Patients with lowered immunity or those in isolation benefit from the reduced risk of virtual at-home consultations. With no time spent in the waiting room or travelling on public transport, they are at a significantly lower risk to themselves and others. Reducing the spread of highly contagious diseases may be particularly important during public health emergencies, such as the pandemic, and for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and infants, during influenza season.
Support for Local Clinics: In remote, regional and rural areas, telehealth can support local clinics in delivering higher-quality care. Providing local staff with access to specialist advice and assistance in managing complex cases also allows patients to receive treatment in their local communities. It helps bridge the gap between metro regions and other areas in Australia and allows for in-person care and assessment combined with telehealth specialist knowledge.

Caveats and Conclusion

Telehealth works best with digitally literate patients or support staff and good internet access, which is lacking in some parts of Australia. Telehealth is also only suited to some conditions, as others may require urgent care and physical treatments. Some aspects of healthcare, such as testing, imaging, and physical assessments, cannot be delivered virtually at all.

So, while telehealth can drastically improve access to healthcare, it is most effective when used to complement existing healthcare solutions. High-quality in-person consults, building on existing doctor-patient relationships, are needed at regular intervals to ensure the best continuity of care. Your primary doctor will be best equipped to discuss more complex matters with you and help you make informed decisions regarding your long-term health.

Consider telehealth a fast and affordable adjunct to regular GP (or specialist) visits and screenings, and you can make the most of its many benefits.

How Telehealth is Streamlining Access to Healthcare in Australia

Key Ways Telehealth Streamlines Access

Caveats and Conclusion

Disclaimer

References