Telehealth
Telehealth provides greater access to health services by allowing people to attend consultations with healthcare providers by video or phone.
While telehealth is not intended to replace necessary in-person visits, it offers a safe and convenient way for people to access care when face-to-face appointments are not possible. It can be particularly helpful for people with mobility issues and those living in rural or remote areas.
A range of healthcare providers can now offer telehealth services, helping people access timely care and support from home or another suitable location.
A range of healthcare providers can now provide telehealth services.
Telehealth training program
CPD accredited
In 2024, a group of 15 Primary Health Networks, including MPHN, developed comprehensive online training to support the delivery of telehealth.
The training program includes two streams:
Residential aged care home stream: For staff working in residential aged care homes.
Remote clinic stream: For healthcare providers, including GPs, allied health professionals and specialists.
Access to the training is free.
The training can be uploaded to your organisation’s Learning Management System. It is available free of charge for Commonwealth-funded residential aged care homes and clinicians providing telehealth to residents in aged care across Australia.
Browse the catalogue and open a module to preview the content. You can download individual modules or the entire catalogue for this stream.
Downloads are provided as SCORM 1.2 packages ready for upload to your LMS. Contact your LMS administrator to setup this training in your LMS.
Recommended video consultation system
While there are many video conferencing systems available, MPHN supports the use of a consistent video consultation system across health services.
healthdirect Video Call
healthdirect Video Call is a trusted, safe, secure and scalable video telehealth service. It is simple and convenient for both clinicians and patients to use.
The Australian Government has provided funding for healthdirect Video Call as a comprehensive, secure and reliable video consulting service. The platform follows Australian Government cyber security guidelines and includes safeguards to protect patient privacy.
healthdirect Video Call is currently free for use by:
General practitioners
Allied health professionals
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services
Residential aged care homes
For providers
If your health service does not yet have a Video Call clinic, one person from your service, usually the clinic manager, can register online to create a virtual clinic.
Access healthdirect Video Call or find out more about video Call access for primary health services.
Patient requirements
Patients do not need a healthdirect Video Call account.
If the patient is using a smartphone, laptop or desktop computer with Chrome or Safari, the provider can send an invitation by text message or email. The patient can then follow the link and instructions to join the consultation.
Medicare bulk billing consent
The Virtual Forms application within healthdirect can support Medicare bulk billing consent during telehealth consultations. Learn more about Virtual Forms here.
Video consultation preparation
Patient information
- Information and fee details
- MBS telehealth item eligibility
- Patient readiness
- Book a video consultation appointment
- Review patient records and reason for appointment
- Obtain informed financial consent
Environment
- Private location
- Audio privacy
- Good lighting
- Side lighting
- Clear background
- Window position
Equipment
- Computer on wheels, laptop, iPad or smartphone
- Audio allowance and drivers, headset or speaker
- Webcam
- Equipment familiarity
- Troubleshooting basics
- Technical IT support
- Device readiness
- Test call
- Audio and video check
Set up
- Clarity, minimise distractions and notifications
- Prevent updates during consultations
- Close applications not in use
- Professional background
- Camera position
- Eye-level contact
- Centre participants
- Microphone placement
Telehealth support
Murrumbidgee PHN’s Digital Health team is available to support general practices, residential aged care homes and allied health practitioners with their telehealth setup and use.
Contact
Shivaram Ravulwar
Digital Health Project Officer
shivaram.ravulwar@mphn.org.au