Frequently asked questions
What is Doctor Help?
Doctor Help is an online portal that connects patients with online healthcare practitioners. We serve as a medium to provide telehealth services with accessibility and convenience. Our major telehealth services include online medical certificates, telehealth consultations, prescription refills and referrals. Hence, Doctor Help with its telehealth services is contributing to bridging the gap in healthcare.
Who can get telehealth services from Doctor Help?
What telehealth services does Doctor Help provide?
How to ask a doctor in Australia for an online consultation?
Why choose Doctor Help?
How to sign up for online Doctor Help?
- Click on the “log in” button.
- Press “Register Now” to get started.
- Fill in your details, including Medicare number, to create an account.
Is online doctor appointment compulsory for a medical certificate?
Is Doctor Help a secure telehealth portal?
Absolutely. Doctor Help prioritizes patient confidentiality through an encrypted portal. Every telehealth consultation conducted online via video calls is dealt with securely, ensuring a trustworthy telehealth experience across Australia.
Can I book an online doctor’s appointment after business hours?
Of course. Our team of healthcare practitioners makes healthcare accessible 24/7 via online telehealth consultations in Australia.
How do I request a medicine prescription or refill online?
You can quickly request a medicine prescription online by completing a brief telehealth consultation with one of our Australian partner practitioners. If our practitioner deems it necessary, your online script will be sent to your mobile number via SMS within minutes.
How do I request a medical certificate online?
To quickly get a medical certificate online, follow these steps:
- Select the type of online sick note you need for work, school, university, or carer’s responsibilities.
- Complete a brief online form with medical details.
- Our authorized online doctor will review your information and conduct an online consultation.
- Based on the online doctor assessment your medical certificate will be sent to your inbox.
Are Doctor Help healthcare practitioners real doctors in Australia?
Yes, Doctor Help has a team of GPs registered with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency.
What happens to the medical records of patients?
Doctor Help telehealth services employ strict protocols and encryption measures to safeguard the patient’s sensitive data.
Medical Certificate FAQs
What is an online medical certificate/ online doctor certificate?
An online doctor certificate is a document that certifies whether the applicant is unfit for work or attending school/university based on an online telehealth assessment. Hence, with this sick note, leave could be granted.
How can I get a medical certificate online?
- Fill out an application form and mention the reason for the absence.
- After submission, you will be redirected to the payment portal.
- Online telehealth consultation for assessment.
- After the review, upon approval by the online doctor, your medical health certificate will be shared on the given email address.
What needs to be on a medical certificate in Australia?
- Name of the patient.
- Medical Assessment Date.
- The medical practitioner gave the date for the return to work.
How do online medical certificates get approved?
The approval of an online medical certificate is subject to the doctor’s assessment. If the online doctor decides to certify the patient unfit within a few hours, you will get the medical certificate in your inbox.
What is a Carer's Leave? Is the process of taking a carer’s leave the same as a medical certificate?
Carer’s leave allows employees to take time off to care for an injured or sick family. Employers may require a medical certificate to approve the leave. The process generally involves notifying the employer and providing the required documentation.
What is the legal value of a medical certificate document?
Online medical certificates are valid in Australia. They hold the same validity as those obtained via in-person appointment. At Doctor Help, we provide certificates that can be scanned to verify their authenticity.
Can I obtain a sick note or doctor's certificate online?
Yes, you can obtain a sick note through an online medical certificate in Australia from doctors certified by AHPRA. Ensure that the certificate is authentic, as it has legal validity.
What types of medical certificates can you get online?
There are different reasons and types of medical certificates which you can obtain online,
including:
- Sick leave from work, school/ university.
- Carer’s leave to take care of someone.
- Stress leave in the form of personal leave.
- Multiday leave for medical concerns via telehealth consultation.
What is the purpose of multiday sick leaves?
Multiday sick leaves are granted for consecutive days of absence, covering recovery time for a specific duration. To attain a multiday medical certificate, you must book a telehealth doctor appointment to discuss your condition.
Do you need a medicare card to receive the telehealth medical certificate online?
There is no need for a medicare card to get the medical certificate online or a telehealth consultation.
How long does it take to get an online carer's certificate?
The process is identical to that of obtaining a medical certificate. After the online assessment, the doctor will decide to provide a carer’s certificate. You will receive a certificate within 12 hours.
Can the employer, school, or university reject an online medical certificate?
An online medical certificate is a legal document that can be verified easily. It’s recommended that you ensure this from your concerned organization or institution regarding the guidelines for leave.
How many days will be covered by an online medical or carer certificate?
It depends on the online assessment by the doctor, but usually, 1-7 days are covered by an online medical or carer’s certificate.
The employer’s policy on medical leave also influences the number of days covered by the online medical certificate.
What are the reasons for asking for a doctor's certificate?
An online medical certificate can be issued on various grounds, including illness, injury, chronic condition, post-surgery recovery, and contagious diseases. You can also get a medical certificate for maternity leave and mental issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression.
Will my employer accept the medical certificate dated after I started sick leave? Is it legal?
Yes, it is legal. A medical practitioner can issue a medical certificate even after a patient has
taken leave due to medical reasons, providing the certificate states:
- Date of the issuance of a certificate.
- Time or duration period recommended by the practitioner for recovery.
Are there some standards or guidelines which apply to medical certificates?
The Medical Council of NSW and the Code of Conduct by the Medical Board of Australia provide certain important guidelines about the issuance of medical certificates and confidentiality of the patients.
Can a doctor decline the request to issue an online medical certificate?
A health practitioner may refuse to issue the certificate. It can occur if they don’t consider the absence from work necessary for the given nature of the illness or if the retrospective request lacks reliable facts.
If a person becomes sick on annual leave, are they required to show their medical certificate to the employer?
Yes, if any individual gets sick or suffers injury during annual leave, they are usually required to show a medical certificate to their employer to convert the annual leave days.
Do I need to share my medical condition with the employer, or is a medical certificate enough for sick leave?
Most of the time, providing a medical certificate issued by an AHPRA-registered doctor is sufficient for taking sick leave. However, exceptions may arise due to job or legal requirements, safety concerns, or company policies.
Prescription related FAQs
What is an online prescription or eScript, and how does it work?
Digital prescriptions, also known as e-scripts or online prescriptions, are an alternative to paper prescriptions. Patients can request these through telehealth platforms like Doctor Help. Prescriptions generated as tokens will be sent via email or SMS.
How to get an online prescription?
To get an online prescription Doctor Help, all you need to do is fill out the form and book an online telehealth consultation. Based on that consultation, you will get your prescription via SMS or email.
How much time does it take to get an online prescription after consultation?
You’ll receive the e-script within a few minutes, allowing you to quickly fill it at a pharmacy.
What is the difference between a new prescription and a repeat online prescription?
A new prescription is issued for the first time medication or major treatment alterations. It specifies the dosage, frequency, and duration of the medication. Whereas, a repeat prescription is a prescription for previously prescribed medication. It allows patients with either chronic or ongoing conditions to continue their medication.
What are some conditions that can be treated through online prescriptions?
Many chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, COPD, and arthritis, can be managed through online prescription services.
What is the legal value of online prescriptions in Australia?
Electronic prescriptions or online scripts are valid and accepted by pharmacies all across the country.
Do I need to consult a doctor for every online prescription, including repeat prescriptions?
Yes, an online consultation is required for an online prescription. It is a significant step in attaining your virtual prescription.
What should I do if there’s an issue with my online prescription at the pharmacy?
Contact us at contact@doctorhelp.com.au.
Is there a limit to how many times I can get a repeat prescription online?
The doctor recommends the maximum number of repeats for the same prescription after assessing the patient’s condition.
What is the difference between eRx and traditional paper prescriptions?
- Online prescriptions, also known as eRx, are shared via SMS or email.
- Traditional paper prescriptions are given by hand via a piece of paper.
What’s an IHI number? And what’s the requirement for this number?
An Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) is a unique 16-digit number that identifies individuals receiving healthcare in Australia. An IHI is essential for using eScripts and managing an individual’s My Health Record, an electronic summary of their key health information.
Are there any restrictions on the types of medications that can be prescribed online?
There are some limitations because not all medicines can be prescribed online. Online doctors are unable to provide E-script for scheduled 4d and S8 medicines.
This type of medication requires in-person appointments.
Telehealth related FAQs
What is an online doctor consultation?
Online Telehealth consultations or online doctor consultation enables patients to consult with a doctor remotely via video call. Online telehealth consultations are a convenient way to access healthcare in Australia, especially if you cannot visit a doctor’s office in person.
How can I book an appointment with doctors online for an illness?
To book your consultation through Doctor Help:
- Visit the website or click here.
- Click on “Book Telehealth Appointment”.
- Fill in the details and submit.
- After completing payment through our secure payment methods, you will be connected to an online GP at your selected time.
Is Doctor Help bulk billed?
Referral Related FAQs
What is included in an online doctor referral letter?
The online referral document includes the patient’s medical history and details of medications currently in use. It should also list any allergies or adverse reactions the patient has experienced and provide information on any diagnostic tests or investigations conducted.
How many types of online GP referrals are available through doctor help?
Our available online doctor referral include:
- Specialist referral online: directing patients to a medical specialist so they receive expert care for their particular needs.
- Pathology referrals: include laboratory tests to diagnose and treat health issues.
- Ultrasound referral online: include imaging screenings to help diagnose or monitor various health conditions.
What is an online pathology referral?
If the online doctor refers you to have screenings for blood tests, that’s an online pathology referral.
What is an online radiology referral?
If the online doctor refers you to have screenings for things like X-rays, that’s an online radiology or ultrasound referral.
What is a specialist referral online?
Specialist Referral online means when an online doctor shares your medical details regarding health issues, date and reason for referral, healthcare practitioner’s name, signature, and contact information.
Specialist referral can be done, as per the patient’s request or by online doctor’s recommendation.
How can I get an online GP referral?
- Submit the referral request.
- After the online consultation, your online doctor will recommend you to the specialist, as per the patient’s medical condition.
Can you get online referral through telehealth?
Yes, online GP can refer you to a healthcare specialist for follow-up via telehealth.
What is the validity of online doctor referral in Australia?
Specialist referral issued by a GP last for 12 months in Australia.
What are the benefits of getting an online referral?
Online referrals save time, eliminate appointment waiting, and streamline screenings for medical examinations, and follow-up checkups, ensuring prompt diagnosis and monitoring of health conditions.
