Patient Guide to Online Rash Diagnosis by Telehealth

If you need urgent help for a rash or other skin condition and can’t get to your doctor straight away, telehealth may offer a convenient and affordable solution. Key to getting an online diagnosis are high-quality photos and video calls. Read on for information on how to get your rash diagnosed through telehealth.

Telehealth consultations are ideal for mild to moderate skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, rashes, minor infections or allergic reactions. If you may need a biopsy, have rapidly spreading infections or something more complex, especially an underlying health condition, you may need to get a specialist referral or head straight to an urgent care clinic. A telehealth practitioner may still be able to give general advice on how to manage your condition in the meantime to make you more comfortable, but they may advise you to seek in-person or specialised care.

Choose a provider first.

Your options are essentially: a telehealth consult with a GP practice, using a general telehealth provider, or seeking specialist assistance through an online dermatologist service. They all have different upsides which can be summed up in the following way: A telehealth consultation with a GP practice may allow for greater continuity of care, if you can get in with your regular doctor or one of their colleagues. General telehealth providers, such as Abby Health, Prime Medic or Hola Health, often offer extended opening hours, shorter wait times and telehealth-versed doctors and nurses, sometimes bulkbilled or at low out-of-pocket costs comparable to GP clinics. They often provide swift eScripts and sometimes home delivered medication. (You could check out MediCompare’s in-depth reviews to compare providers.) Online dermatologist providers, including Dermo Direct, offer highly specialised services, which is important if your situation is more complex. There are also providers offering specialist consultations with a range of specialists. To access Medicare rebates, you should get a referral online before booking with a specialist.

Get all your information ready.

High quality photos taken in strong direct light and from different angles (ideally with a hand or something else in the frame to provide context for the rashes size) are essential to upload before your appointment. Also, as most appointments last 10 minutes or less, it is a good idea to write up your symptoms, where and when the rash first appeared and whether you have any other symptoms, e.g. itching, burning, tingling, flaking, fever, chills etc. You can either upload a picture of your notes during the booking process, input it manually, or tell your doctor during the consult. But giving them as much detail as possible before your consult means they can get a clear picture and gather any missing information from you more quickly during the appointment. Another good idea is to prepare a list of what you are looking for during the consult. Would you like symptom relief advice? A script, medical certificate or referral? As the consult will likely be short, make sure you don’t forget anything.

Book your appointment.

When booking, make sure you upload all the information, especially the pictures. Most providers take you through a booking flow, sometimes with AI, to gather the information for the doctor. Have your Medicare card handy and, if you want a referral, now is the time to look up where you’d like to be referred to.

Attending your video consult.

Set an alarm 10-15 minutes before your consult time, so you can be prepared. Check how the consult works, e.g. is the provider sending a link, do you need to log into the site or app, or will the doctor call you? Make sure your camera on your computer is working or your phone is off silent. When you have gotten to this point, it’d be a shame to miss out due to technical issues!

Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to show the rash to your doctor during the video consult, if possible.

Make sure you ask all your questions and understand the treatment plan and what symptoms would require you to see a doctor in-person or have an online follow-up, as well as when you can conclude any treatment.

Check you know how to obtain your script or referral and whether you need to take any action after your consult.

Start your treatment plan.

Get your prescribed medication and/ or referral and follow the treatment plan. If anything is unclear, book a follow-up.

Telehealth offers access to fast, affordable and convenient solutions for minor to moderate skin conditions. It can help you get the care you need when you cannot get to the doctor in person. Key to getting the most out of your online consultation is choosing the right provider, good preparation for your appointment, including high quality pictures and a summary of your symptoms, and understanding and following through on your treatment plan. Online consultations for a rash have the potential to speed up access to the care you need and thus, your recovery.

This article is for informational purposes only and is no substitute for professional medical advice. Please choose your provider with care. Always consult your doctor or a qualified health professional regarding any health-related questions or concerns.