Telehealth and video consultations
What is telehealth?
Telehealth can make it easier for people to access services. Telehealth is the use of communications technology to connect a health provider and patient using phone or videoconferencing. Medicare item numbers are available to support a number of services to be delivered by telehealth and many health providers are increasing their use of telehealth.
Your doctor or treating health professional will determine if telehealth is an appropriate and available option for you based on your individual circumstances.
Who can provide telehealth services?
A range of health care providers can now provide telehealth services to patients. These include:
- general practitioners (GPs)
- specialists
- allied health providers
- mental health professionals
- nurse practitioners.
healthdirect Video Call
healthdirect Video Call is a secure, browser-based telehealth platform designed for healthcare providers and patients to conduct virtual consultations. It is used across various services, including general practice, Aboriginal Medical Services, and aged care. It is purpose-built for health settings, complete with virtual Meeting Rooms, Clinics, and Waiting Areas.
Key features
- Secure and private: Complies with Australian privacy standards.
- No software installation: Runs directly in supported web browsers.
- Virtual waiting room: Patients enter a waiting area before being joined by the clinician.
- Pre-call checks: Automated tests for internet speed, camera, microphone, and speakers.
- Free and easy to use: Healthdirect Video Call is free and easy to use for clinicians and patients alike.
- Support options: Troubleshooting guides and a dedicated support line (1800 580 771).
Under a special funding agreement with the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing, the service is provided at no cost to general practices, Aboriginal Medical Services (AMSs), and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).
- General practitioners can register here (select NQPHN as your PHN).
- AMSs and ACCHOs can register their interest in a licence here.
- Health professionals working in aged care, allied health, Indigenous health, maternity health, and mental health services can use Video Call under the pilot program funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing. Please note, eligibility criteria is subject to change. You can register your interest in a licence here.
healthdirect Video Call includes a multi-way video consulting capability, making it easy to include health specialists, translators, and carers and family members who are in other locations.
Clinicians, patients, and other participants can access Video Call on any modern device and internet browser. It is a wholly secure environment that leaves no digital footprint from any participants.
Patients do not need a Video Call account.
Units and structure of Video Call
Waiting Area
The private virtual space where a patient waits for a consultation to begin with their provider. A Waiting Area is set up by an Administrator and grouped under an Organisation.
Meeting Room
A permanent video room that signed-in providers can use to interact with one another. Providers are granted access to Meeting Rooms by Administrators. Meeting Rooms (along with a single Waiting Area) are grouped under Organisations.
Clinic
Made up of a single Waiting Area and/or Meeting Room(s). There may be one or more Clinics grouped together under an Organisation. A Clinic might be a department, a specialist area (e.g., renal, physio), or an administrative unit (e.g. Meeting Rooms 2-10).
Adding additional participants to a Video Call
- While in a Video Call, you can invite another participant directly into the same Video Call. Click on Call Manager at the top right of your call screen.
- Click the Invite Participant button in the call manager panel.
- You can invite a participant to join the call via email or via SMS. Select either ‘Send email invitation’ or ‘Send SMS invitation’.
Add their name and contact details. Click Invite to send the invitation. - The invited participant will receive a link via email or SMS (based on your invitation method) that will bring them directly into your current Video Call.
More information
For more information, please visit the Video Call Resource Centre.
For video call demonstration and training, see healthdirect’s Acme Health Video Call demonstration.
If you need help in registering, please email digitalhealth@nqphn.com.au or videocall@healthdirect.org.au.