Telehealth
Telehealth is the delivery of Medicare-funded health services using different forms of communications technology.
Telehealth can be as simple as two doctors discussing a patient’s health on the phone, or as advanced as a doctor and patient hundreds of kilometres apart using webcams for an internet consultation.
Video-conferencing is one of the main ways in which telehealth is improving access to healthcare services for patients who live in regional, rural and remote areas.
Instead of having to travel to the nearest major city to see a specialist, an increasing number of patients are using video-conferencing. This facility might be offered by their GP clinic or another local healthcare venue.
Medicare-funded telehealth services are also available to residents of eligible aged-care homes and to patients of Aboriginal Medical Services across Australia.
The Australian Government has provided $620 million for the national telehealth initiative, a key part of the National Digital Economy Strategy.
Telehealth will also be boosted by the National Broadband Network enhanced technology as the network is progressively rolled out.
If you live in a regional, rural or remote area and think you could benefit from telehealth, have a talk to your GP.
What's happening
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