When Emily West moved to northern NSW eight years ago, medical receptionists were regularly misled when she tried to book a video appointment with her specialists in Sydney.
But better access to telehealth options since the COVID-19 pandemic has been a “lifesaver” for the 36-year-old, who has multiple sclerosis and has been immunocompromised since undergoing a stem cell transplant stem cells and chemotherapy last year.
Emily West, 36, says telehealth appointments have been a “game changer” for her and her son Freddie Conly, who turns five on Friday. Credit: Danielle Smith
“I was locked in my house for a while, [so] the ability to have telehealth appointments not just for me, but for my son and my partner, has been amazing,” she said. “It's been a game changer, I think one of the good things coming out of the pandemic “.
New analysis released on Wednesday shows telehealth accounted for one in 10 public specialist appointments and one in five GP appointments in NSW, down from during the height of the pandemic but a massive increase from 1 % of Medicare-subsidized appointments made by phone or video call in 2019.
In a survey of more than 2,000 patients published in conjunction with the Medicare analysis, patients who frequently used telehealth were more likely to rate their overall care highly and to use it again if given the option.
Health Information Office executive director Diane Watson said virtual care is now being used “as an alternative to face-to-face appointments and not as a supplement.”
In recent years, telehealth has become available.
West, who lives in Pottsville, near the Queensland border, said the technology was particularly useful for patients like her, whose regular doctor visits wouldn't be possible face-to-face.
“In northern NSW, medical specialists don't exist … to go see a GP or a specialist, you're looking at at least an hour round trip,” he said. “With telehealth, you can access it with just the click of a button.”
