Telehealth consultation information:
The benefits of having a telehealth consultation include:
Reducing the waiting time
Avoiding your need to travel
To facilitate social distancing and reduce community transmission of COVID-19
The risks of having a Telehealth consultation include:
A telehealth consultation may not be as complete as a face-to face service. For example, it will not be possible to complete a physical examination.
There could be some technical problems that affect the telehealth visit.
This health care service uses systems that meet recommended standards to protect the privacy and security of the telehealth visits. However, the service cannot guarantee total protection against hacking or tapping into the telehealth visit by outsiders. This risk is small, but it does exist.
We may need to use email before and after the Telehealth consultation (e.g. to send pathology or radiology request forms or prescriptions) which contain some of your personal patient information. Email is not 100% secure from a privacy perspective.
If the telehealth visit does not achieve everything that is needed, I will be given a choice about what to do next. This could include a follow up face-to-face visit, or a second telehealth visit.
I can change my mind and stop using telehealth at any time, including in the middle of a consultation. This will not make any difference to my right to ask for and receive health care.
Please note that consultations transitioned to telehealth due to COVID19 attract the same rebate as face to face consultations as of 20 April 2020. In addition, telehealth consultations eligible for MBS item numbers due to geographical distance are still eligible for medicare rebates.
I understand:
My participation is voluntary.
I have the right to withdraw my consent.
I have the right to cease consultations at any stage.
The procedure for conducting telehealth consultations.
The health care provider will take notes during the consultation.
My referring doctor or health professional will be contacted in reference to my treatments.
My consent relates to:
A period of care which may involve several consultations via telehealth.
The passing of information in relation to my treatment to be sent to the nominated email address, which is a secure and safe address that I can only access.
Permission for further specified health professionals to be contacted in reference to my treatments.