How Online Doctor Consultations Are Improving Healthcare in Australia

Online doctor consultations, also known as telehealth consultations, have rapidly transformed how Australians access healthcare. Patients can speak with a healthcare provider (such as a general practitioner [GP] or specialist) via phone or video from the comfort of home​

What began as a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic has now become a convenient mainstream health service. It’s now a permanent feature of Australia’s healthcare system, with telehealth services supported under Medicare.

According to The Medical Republic, Australians have embraced telehealth as a way to get timely medical advice and treatment. Almost one in four people in Australia (23.6%) had at least one telehealth consultation in 2023-2024.​

Telehealth (or online doctor consultations) is used for everything from routine GP check-ups and prescription refills to specialist consults and mental health therapy sessions. This means better access to healthcare for patients, wherever they may live.

As former Health Minister Greg Hunt noted last March 2022, telehealth has been “the most significant reform to Medicare since it began, improving access and providing more choice to patients and their health professionals”​

In this article, we explore how telehealth services in Australia are improving healthcare delivery for patients through greater access, convenience, and quality of care.

The Rise of Telehealth in Australian Healthcare

Telehealth service usage has surged in Australia in recent years as healthcare providers and patients alike recognized its benefits. During 2020 and 2021, millions of telehealth consultations were conducted, illustrating the rapid uptake of virtual care.

While initially driven by necessity, telehealth in Australia has proven valuable beyond the pandemic. It’s now improving healthcare access for many groups of patients. The Department of Health notes that telehealth has been “transformational to Australia’s universal healthcare program, Medicare,” ensuring continuity of care for hundreds of thousands of patients and allowing people to get care “where and when [they] need it”.

Crucially, telehealth has been integrated into the healthcare system with support from government and professional bodies. Medicare rebates are available for many telehealth consultations, making it an affordable healthcare service for patients. Many healthcare professionals, including GPs, specialists, allied health, and mental health providers, now offer telehealth as part of their practice.

The Australian Government is helping ensure the quality and safety of telehealth, with $5 million worth of research into how telehealth can achieve positive health outcomes for Australians.

This integration into everyday care means online doctor consultations are readily accessible through various telehealth platforms and clinic websites. Whether you live in a big city or a rural town, telehealth is here to stay as a convenient option for accessing care.

As Medical Board of Australia Chair Dr. Anne Tonkin puts it, “Telehealth is here to stay. It plays an essential role in healthcare in Australia and has opened great opportunities to improve access to and delivery of care, including to rural and remote patients and people living with disadvantage”​

What are the Benefits of Online Doctor Consultations?

Online doctor consultations offer numerous benefits for patients. Here are some of the key ways this digital health approach is enhancing care in Australia:

• Improved Access to Care: Telehealth breaks down geographic barriers, connecting patients and healthcare providers across any distance. For example, a patient in remote outback Australia can consult an Australian specialist or GP via video without travelling for hours, so they can access healthcare when they need it. Ensuring equitable access to digital health is crucial for better health outcomes in remote areas​
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• Convenience and Flexibility: Telehealth allows you to schedule consultations at times that suit you, often outside normal clinic hours. There’s no need to take a whole day off work or sit in a waiting room; your consultation can happen at home, during a lunch break, or wherever you feel comfortable. This flexibility makes healthcare more patient-friendly and encourages people to seek medical advice promptly. It also means you avoid crowded waiting rooms, which makes getting care safer and more comfortable for you.
• Continuity of Care: For those managing chronic conditions or ongoing treatment, telehealth makes it easy to have regular check-ins. Patients with diabetes, hypertension, mental health conditions or other long-term healthcare needs can set up frequent follow-up appointments via telehealth to monitor progress or adjust medications. These virtual visits with your familiar healthcare practitioner or specialist provide support between physical appointments. It’s a seamless way to maintain continuity of care.

All these benefits show how healthcare delivery via telehealth can be more patient-centred. Importantly, telehealth is meant to complement and not completely replace in-person visits. For medical issues that require a physical examination or procedure, you will still need to see a doctor face-to-face. But for a large number of concerns, an online consultation provides a convenient first step that can save time and help you get care sooner.

Quality of Care and Patient Satisfaction

One common question patients have is whether an online consultation will be as effective as an in-person visit. Australian evidence so far suggests that for appropriate issues, the quality of care remains high.

Doctors and other health professionals undergo training to ensure telehealth consultations meet the same standards as clinic visits. The Medical Board of Australia emphasizes that real-time video or phone consultations should deliver safe care and follow the same professional guidelines as in-person practice​

In other words, your healthcare provider on a telehealth call will strive to listen carefully, examine your symptoms, and offer advice just as they would face-to-face.

Patient satisfaction with telehealth is very strong. In an ABS survey, 89.2% of people who had a telehealth appointment said they would use telehealth services again if offered​

An online doctor consultation can resolve many common issues, such as prescription refills, reviewing test results, or minor illnesses. Online doctors in Australia can provide referrals or electronic prescriptions when appropriate, making the process seamless for patients.

If a virtual consult determines you need a physical examination or urgent care, the doctor will guide you on the next steps so you won’t miss out on necessary treatment.

Booking an Online Doctor Consultation

Booking a telehealth consultation is simple. Many clinics and telehealth providers (like Phenix Health) offer online booking systems; you just choose a time and provide your details to get started.

If you’re ready to experience the convenience of telehealth for yourself, it’s easy to take the next step. Whether you need a medical certificate, a repeat prescription, or advice on a health concern, telehealth services in Australia are here to help. It’s healthcare on your terms, giving you and your family easy access to care whenever and wherever you need it.

Visit Phenix Health’s booking page to book an online doctor consultation now.