The future is here as digital healthcare is on the rise.
What is Telehealth?
Telehealth is the delivery of healthcare services and information using telecommunication technologies such as email, videoconferencing and telephone consultation. It enables patient and clinician contact, care, advice, reminders, education, intervention and monitoring from anywhere in the world.
Telehealth was primarily designed to improve access to healthcare services for patients living in rural and remote areas, but due to the numerous benefits to both patients and practitioners, it is becoming an increasingly popular mode of healthcare delivery for people everywhere.
Healthcare at your fingertips means that time or distance are no longer a barrier for patients, families, carers and health professionals. It even has the power to connect health professionals, enabling collaboration and healthcare system integration, optimising patient care.
How does Telehealth work for Exercise Physiology?
Just like most other health professionals, Exercise Physiologists use Telehealth to deliver virtual consultations as an alternative to face-to-face sessions. Digital healthcare companies such as Physitrack have enabled practitioners to overcome common access barriers for their clients, while upholding the ethical and legal requirements of healthcare and preserving clinical supervision and individualised exercise prescription.
Telehealth is also used by EP’s to educate clients via online resources, motivate and monitor adherence, track outcomes, and report back to clients and/or other treating practitioners about a clients progress.
Are Telehealth services rebateable?
Currently only the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), State Inusrance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) and WorkCover QLD recognises telehealth as an alternative method of delivering therapy supports for eligible clients.
Medicare and DVA fund Telehealth services by GP’s, Psychologists and limited other health professionals, but are yet to cover Exercise Physiology. Some private health insurers such as Bupa, Medibank and HCF offer their own telehealth services to members, however each company is different so it’s worth asking your insurer what you’re entitled to.
How do I get setup for telehealth?
Generally, all you need is a computer or mobile device with a microphone and camera, and a strong reliable internet connection to open up the world of Telehealth! Platforms such as Physitrack and Zoom are free and secure for patients to access, but require your health profession to have a subscription and issue you a login. If you’d like to test the set up and see what it’s like using telehealth, book a Free Zoom Setup appointment and we can guide you through it at a time that suits you.
For more information about Bodytrack’s Telehealth services, Contact Us or call on (07) 3870 4119.