There’s a lot more to telehealth than phone and video calls
The three forms of telehealth are real-time (phone and video), store-and-forward and remote patient monitoring
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in rapid changes to the way Australians access health care. We’re now using telehealth more than ever.
Last week’s federal budget confirmed a six-month extension of Medicare subsidies for telehealth consultations, worth $2.4 billion. It also included $18.6 million for the preparation of permanent telehealth infrastructure beyond March 31 next year.
This goes some way to recognising telehealth is not only an important tool in our pandemic response — it’s much needed in our health system.
To fully realise the potential of telehealth, we need to recognise it’s more than just appointments via phone or videoconference.
