Telehealth services gained popularity during and after the pandemic, transforming the healthcare system by bridging the gaps between healthcare providers and patients. This service transcends barriers through innovative use of telecommunications and technology, creating effective, convenient, and accessible healthcare solutions.

From March 13, 2020, to July 31, 2022, more than 118.2 million telehealth consultations were conducted for roughly 18 million patients, involving the engagement of over 95,000 healthcare professionals, as stated on the digihealth.gov.au website. These numbers are proof of how technology can reform the post-pandemic structure of healthcare and how rapidly it has been adopted by people. This new approach of telehealth promotes convenience from the conform of your house. This eliminates geographical constraints and results in efficient healthcare. Especially with people who have mobility issues, those who live in rural areas, people who have problems getting appointments and people who require a prescription renewal or medical certificate.

According to a report by the Australian Medical Association, Australia is estimated to face a deficit of 10,600 General Practitioners (GPs) by 2031. Due to the increasing population, GPs must make frequent visits and consultations. This all takes time, which is why not all patients are being treated properly, navigating the shortage of GPs. With telehealth services, healthcare providers can transform this, optimising resource allocation and delivering high-quality care to a diverse population.

What Are Telehealth Services?

Telehealth originated from the combination of telecommunications and healthcare. This term refers to delivering healthcare services through online portals. Patients can connect with the GP any time of the day with a very short waiting period via video calls, phone calls, messaging apps and other digital platforms. These telehealth services offer access and efficiency, and it’s exactly like making an appointment with a doctor for medical advice; the medium is different. From the comfort of the house and without travel you can easily get the doctor’s consultation.

It’s very easy for elderly people and those with mobility issues to get consultations at the ease of their homes. Moreover, telehealth medical services are not just limited to consultation; they also provide medical certificates, referrals, and prescription refills.
This telehealth service, available after regular hours, is a blessing for those individuals who face long waits in emergency rooms for minor medical issues that could be resolved quickly.

Doctor Help provides easy access to telehealth services at affordable rates.

Key Benefits Of Telehealth For the Medical Health Providers

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Telehealth services support healthcare providers so that they can easily optimize their resources and access more patients, providing them with quality without any professional burnout.

Below are some of the telehealth benefits for healthcare providers.

⦁ Improved Access: Through telehealth services, healthcare providers are not able to provide their services to more patient populations, making sure all the patients get treatment and medical advice on time. This also makes prescription refills much easier for the patients rather than booking an appointment, again and again, they can get their prescription refill. (as per doctor’s recommendation)

⦁ Reduce Resource Consumption: Telehealth benefits medical health practitioners by streamlining the healthcare delivery process, by deducting the administrative burdens, it optimizes the allocation of resources. Healthcare providers can easily conduct virtual meetings and provide consultation over appointments rapidly and effectively. This minimizes the wait times and maximizes productivity.

⦁ Schedule Flexibility: Telehealth services offer healthcare practitioners to have flexible scheduling. This makes them more efficiently available to accommodate the patients and offers them consultation even after conventional working hours. This makes patients more satisfied with the consultation hence improving the quality of the services.

⦁ Cost Efficient: Online consultation decreases the cost for healthcare providers by deducting the expenses affiliated with physical facilities. Time and fuel are also saved as the requirement to travel to several clinic locations is eliminated.

⦁ Improve work-life balance: When providers are working remotely, their work life is balanced with their life schedules. They get more flexibility for themselves and for their own family as well. So when they work for unconventional hours it benefits both patients and the medical health practitioners in Australia. Also, they do not have to sit in one location anywhere with good internet service and calm surroundings seem to be a fit for doing their consultations with patients.

⦁ Collaboration Opportunities: Through telehealth, medical care providers can easily consult with the specialist to discuss the patient history and the case. This results in a better outcome for the treatment of the patients.

⦁ Less Exposure To Infections: During public health emergencies like the pandemic, less exposure to infection is a compulsion for medical health providers as they are the caregivers in many scenarios. So through telehealth services, this is possible for them to provide as many online consultations as they can and still be healthy and active for the medical care and emergencies ahead.

⦁ Patient Satisfaction: Patients can easily access medical advice from professionals when they require it via telehealth services. This is one convenient way to easily communicate with health practitioners at their own pace. Hence it results in more comfortable and open discussion leading to patient satisfaction.

⦁ Health For Everyone: Telehealth services benefit everyone, it makes it much easier for patients to get the valuable time of health practitioners and their medical advice conveniently. This is the best for those who are not able to go to a doctor’s clinic due to some factors like age, time or travel.

Benefits of Telehealth for Patients

In Australia Telehealth has proven to be a game-changer in bridging the gaps of healthcare. Patients get access to instant medical advice without travelling to a different location via telehealth.

Below are the Benefits of Telehealth for patients.

.⦁ Online Consultation: Telehealth doctors provide the consultation online, This is the most comfortable setting where patients especially those who only need to get medical advice don’t have to travel to clinics just for the sake of prescription referrals or referrals. They can get it easily via telehealth services through health care practitioners certified with AHPRA within a short period.

⦁ Accessibility For Medical Services: Telehealth deducts the requirement of travel thus breaking down the geographical barriers. This makes medical advice and other services like medical certificates easier to access for the patients who require these.

⦁ Online Doctors Certificate: If you are sick and want leave from work or school/ university, then telehealth services are the best source to get a medical certificate online. It will only take one application form and a wait of 24 hours approximately rather than taking conventional appointments and travelling to get your medical certificate.

⦁ Online Prescription Refills: All those patients who only require the refills of the scripts can easily get them via online prescription refills, as per the doctor’s advice. 

⦁ No Specific Appointment Hours: Telehealth services are available round the clock. You are free to book appointments even after working hours. Telehealth benefits include the schedule of free consultations unlike the conventional practices of healthcare in Australia. 

⦁ Reduced Waiting Times: Online Consultations often have a very little wait time which means that you don’t have to keep in line or waiting rooms. Just pick a time an appointment is scheduled. 

⦁ Cost Effectiveness: Conventional consultation involves a lot of expense involved apart from the fees. But it’s not the case in Online consultations. All you need to do is book and pay the online consultation or service fee rather than bearing the full expense or the missing working hours. 

⦁ Satisfactory Health Outcomes: If you see the outcome of taking an online consultation before you rush to your specialist, you will realize it’s better to book an appointment and get medical advice. This reduces the load on the conventional practice and online medical practitioners will also give quality time to the patients bringing satisfactory outcomes. 

⦁ Patient Engagement: Telehealth benefits in bringing the best out of patients as well, This way patients are observant regarding their healthcare requirements and this provides the awareness and the education that is required for the patients as well.

⦁ Equity: Those patients who are not able to get immediate healthcare advice or service due to their age, or disability get the equal opportunity to get medical services via telehealth. 

Conclusion:

In today’s era of modern technology, telehealth benefits both the patients and the practitioners. It has become an essential tool in healthcare delivery, transforming traditional practices and revolutionizing medical care. This method offers a convenient, accessible, and efficient way for individuals to access medical services, get prescriptions, and specialist referrals, and manage their health virtually from any location. As technology continues to evolve, the potential of telehealth will also enhance and improved health outcomes will be observed.