Telehealth services are not new in Australia, yet their reach needs improvement. The lack of awareness is one of the primary reasons since they are unsure if their insurance provider covers an online GP consultation. Also, misconceptions still exist surrounding the service, especially the bias against the use of technology in contrast to face-to-face interactions.
However, there is nothing to fear from telehealth services, especially as more general practitioners embrace the technology to reach out to more patients.
What to Expect from an Online Medical Consultation
Talking to an online GP is pretty straightforward. You can find multiple platforms and websites that serve as a bridge for patients to access medical services.
To access the service, you must create an account by signing up for the platform. Once you are logged on, you now have a full range of choices, such as:
Consulting with an online GP
Asking for a prescription
Requesting a medical certificate
New specialist referral
Carer certificate
Pathology referral
Radiology referral
You can also choose the method of Access from email, chatting with a GP, or face-to-face video consultation. youcampusonline
1. Registering an Account
Patient registration is also simple. Filling out a form with your basic information and medical history will be required. The data will be saved by the platform for future use, particularly for regular consultations. This way, you avoid having to go through the process every time you log in with your profile.
After setting up an account, you can choose the service you want, whether you wish live consultation with a GP, request a prescription for your medicine, or ask for a referral for a laboratory test.
2. Booking an Appointment
If you wish to book an appointment, you only have to signify your purpose. Then, the customer representatives will endorse you to a doctor who can best help you based on the medical history you provided on your sign-up form. Of course, you can always ask for another if you feel uncomfortable or need a second opinion.
In effect, the patient does not have to do anything as the system will do most of the heavy lifting. globalwebhealth
3. Talking to a doctor
There is no distinction between speaking to a doctor in person and consulting with an online GP. Perhaps the only difference is that you are interacting via a different channel. Be honest about how you feel and the possible outcome you want. To receive the best care, you must be honest about your condition.
Also, take the opportunity to ask your pressing questions to clarify something about your concerns. Remember, you are paying for the hour with the GP. Don’t wait to end the online medical consultation, then go to Google for self-diagnosis afterwards.
Finally, you may ask the customer rep to email the diagnosis to you. Should you need a medical certificate, you can also request one from the platform.
Everything is set up to make your life easier. The best thing is that you do not have to leave your home to get much-needed help.
Online GPs Fill the Gap
The advent of online medical consultations is significant due to the rising demands of Australia’s ageing population. For instance, government data revealed that the country has fewer kids under 15 years old compared to the proportion of the elderly (65 years and older).
According to the Deloitte GP Report, more general practitioners are needed to serve Australia’s ageing population since the demand will increase by 38% by 2032. However, the truth is that the supply of doctors will decrease, resulting in a shortage of more than 11,000 GPs over the next decade. That is why reinforcing online medical consultation is critical to filling the void.
Also, the pandemic underscored the importance of telehealth services, with nearly 5 in 10 patients receiving care via digital platforms.
24/7 Access
The convenience of online medical consultations over traditional clinics with limited opening and closing hours. As an example, if you have an emergency in the middle of the night, your doctor may not be immediately available. Instead, you only need to log on to the platform to speak with a doctor right away.
However, online medical consultation is prohibited if you are outside the country. However, it’s not the fault of online platforms as Australian laws imposed the prohibition. Therefore, even if you are an Australian citizen, you are still ineligible to access an online GP if you are outside the country for any reason.
One misconception about telehealth services is that it is only available to citizens. But if you are a foreigner currently residing or visiting Australia, you can still talk to an online GP so long as you are enrolled in the platform.
Getting an online medical consultation has never been easier today. Don’t let your fears become a roadblock to getting appropriate help with your condition.