What is Virtual Care/Telehealth?
Virtual care (otherwise known as telehealth) allows consumers and patients to access health care closer to home or in the home. Virtual care can involve both phone and video consultations. It allows patients to safely and conveniently access remote healthcare in place of face-to-face care if clinically appropriate.
Virtual Care (Telehealth)
Provides consumers, patients and carers with significant benefits such as:
- Reducing the risk of exposure to other illnesses and infections; especially for patients with compromised or weakened immune systems.
- Removing the burden of travel when patients are suffering illness or injury.
- Saving time and money on travel, parking, accommodation.
- Allowing patients to be cared for in the comfort of their home or seen in the comfort of their own home, or at a more convenient location.
Virtual Care (Phone/Video)
Used in many healthcare settings including:
- Specialist /outpatient services.
- Emergency Departments.
- Inpatient services such as Hospital in the Home.
- Community health.
- Primary care.
Who is Virtual Care/Telehealth for?
Virtual care/telehealth is suitable for most types of appointments including:
- Screening, diagnosis, treatment planning and follow up care.
- Managing symptoms and side effects.
- Referring for scans, tests and other treatments.
- Discussing scans and test results.
- Repeat prescriptions.
- Mental wellbeing or counselling.