The RACGP is campaigning against pop-up telehealth services, which it believes are potentially offering inappropriate care while threatening the viability of quality general practices.

The college is concerned about a surge in telehealth models and businesses that are not linked to the patient’s usual GP.

These “typically rely on quick turnover” that leaves no time for discussions about preventative health and long-term health.

There are also potential issues with patient privacy, inappropriate and unapproved use of patient data during, before and after a consultation, the college warns in a statement urging patients to avoid pop-up services and instead to consult their usual GP.