Telehealth incorporates live audio and or video links as well as the storage and transmission of medical records and data. Improved technology is allowing for greater communication between medical specialists and patients who live in the rural and remote areas of Australia. Telehealth is also available to medical professionals to communicate with other professionals, for example a remote GP may upload medical scans to a specialist and then discuss them via a video link.
A large scale trial undertaken by the CSIRO found up to $3 billion could be saved each year through better prevention measures and reduced demand on acute services. The research involved 287 patients who were provided with devices which monitored vital functions. The patients communicated with clinicians via videoconferencing with clinicians to discuss the measurements of the devices and were given advice accordingly to better manage their health conditions.
The main advantage of telehealth is reduced costs and increased available of care. An additional advantage for patients is that there is less stigma than when visiting a doctor’s office, particularly for consultations around mental health or intimate issues. Consultations or education can be beamed directly into the patients home, where the patient is often more comfortable and more receptive. Telehealth is reportedly very accepted by the younger generation particularly, who are more comfortable with modern technology.
What the future holds for telehealth in Australia
The Australian Government Telehealth Pilots Program highlighted a benefit to older Australians, and could be a cost effective way of managing Australia’s ageing population and the one in four Australians living with a chronic conditions. Telehealth has been identified by the Australian government as a priority but more funding is needed, along with infrastructure. Some states and territories have chosen to develop and implement their own networks.
Remote and rural areas still struggle with lack of availability to the internet and mobile phone networks but travelling into town for a better connection is preferable to travelling hundreds of kilometres for a face to face consultation or therapy session. Drop-outs and outages are still common in some remote areas but the continued rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) is expected bring improvements. Innovators are hopeful that one day rural and remote workers will be able to be guided through simple diagnostic procedures, and that patients will be able to get advice on weight loss or other lifestyle measures via Skype at their home rather than travel and sit in a waiting room for two hours.
The health funding structure is also yet to catch up with all that telehealth does and can offer. At this stage Medicare benefits are available for video consultations between specialists and patients who are located in telehealth eligible areas but GP consultations conducted remotely are unable to be claimed on Medicare or even through private health insurance. Various industry associations have called on the Australian Government to overhaul the funding structure to allow for greater collaboration and uptake of telehealth services.