Online Health Appointments

Online Health Appointments: Many health conditions can be treated in an online health appointment, which is sometimes called a virtual doctor visit or telehealth consultation. These appointments are normally privately billed and can be undertaken from anywhere as long as you have mobile phone access. They also can help reduce the amount of time you spend in waiting rooms and can cut down on costs and time going to ED visits.

In a typical visit, you meet with a medical professional over the phone to talk about your symptoms and review test results. Depending on your provider, you may also have the ability to show them physical symptoms via video. In some cases depending on the online service you can use a tablet, smartphone or computer with an internet connection to meet with the provider. It is important to find a quiet, private place to sit during the appointment. If you’re using a mobile device, you may need to download a specific app.

If you’re not familiar with telehealth, it may seem intimidating, but it works in much the same way as an in-person doctor’s appointment. Many GPs, clinics and doctors who specialise in areas such as endocrinology, gastroenterology, psychiatry or rheumatology now offer virtual appointments, along with their traditional face-to-face options.

Some examples of telehealth services include Phenix Health and ClinicALL for on demand care service, which offers online consultations with doctors who can prescribe medications.