When Should an Online Consultation be Considered? Telehealth GP for Follow-Up Appointments

Follow-up visits are a regular part of all medical care, but not all follow-up visits require an in-person visit. If you’ve been diagnosed with a condition, are looking at a treatment or follow-up plan or are keeping an eye on a current condition, a phone consultation might be a convenient alternative.

In some cases, a Telehealth GP for follow-up appointment is a logical alternative to regular visits to the clinic. Dr Dong Zhao at Verity Medical Practice provides a telephone consultation which in many instances can form part of follow-up treatment.

This article provides some insight into the nature of telehealth follow-up appointments, what they are suitable for, who can benefit from them, and how to schedule and prepare for a telehealth GP for follow-up appointments.

Telehealth GP For Follow-Up Consultation

What is a Telehealth Follow-up appointment?

The follow-up with a GP is a phone call to a GP to track your progress after an initial visit, diagnosis or treatment, rather than meeting them in the clinic.

This is one of the most common uses of telehealth in Australian general practice. Telehealth is available when it is safe and clinically appropriate and follow-up care is often a good candidate as it does not always require a physical examination, healthdirect Australia says.

Depending on your specific circumstances, it is possible to follow-up via telephone. If it is a straightforward change or condition, telehealth may be appropriate, but if the condition is more complex or changing, then a face-to-face appointment may be needed.

The implementation of Telehealth GP For Follow-Up Consultation

A booking for a phone consultation for the follow-up care with Dr Dong Zhao at Verity Medical Practice typically goes like this:

1. You call the practice to make a phone appointment for a follow-up.
2. You have an appointment time that you have to stick to.
3. Dr Dong Zhao contacts you to talk about your progress, symptoms, or treatment plan.
4. You may receive additional recommendations, a prescription, a referral or additional testing suggestions, depending on the result.

Since it was expanded during the pandemic, telehealth has been part of Australian general practice since then, and is now supported by Medicare. The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing acknowledges expanded telehealth arrangements have been made permanent as part of Medicare from 1 January 2022.

What Can Be Discussed In a Follow-Up Consultation?

A follow up appointment with a GP via Telehealth can usually address issues about your current care such as:

• Changes since your last appointment related to treatments or medication, e.g., how you have coped with a treatment or medication since your last visit
• Complex chronic disease management (such as diabetes, asthma and high blood pressure monitoring)
• Medication reviews, such as changing the dose or re-prescribing a medication
• Whether the previous issue has improved or changed (including symptom updates)
• General questions, for example clarifying directions from a past appointment

If your situation has changed a lot or you have a new concern, Dr Dong Zhao may want to see you in person so he can evaluate you correct.

Who is this a good option for: Telehealth Follow-Up Appointment?

Telehealth GP For Follow-Up Consultation Belconnen

Phone consultation for follow up care is not suitable for everyone, but it can be beneficial to many patients. If you may be able to benefit from a “telehealth” GP follow-up appointment, you may be eligible if:

• Your condition is not critical. If it’s a matter you just need to keep up with something that’s already pretty well handled, it could be a phone call.
• You don’t need a physical examination. There are numerous follow-ups that are more about progress than examination.
• The practice has experience in providing services to you. This will enable your GP to review your progress considering your medical history.
• Have work or family responsibilities. Making a phone call may be simpler to fit into a hectic schedule than a face-to-face meeting.
• You have an ongoing health problem. A phone conversation can be appropriate for regular check-in for continuous conditions.

An In-Person Consultation May Be Needed Instead

There are some follow-ups that are more suited to a one-on-one setting. This may include:

• Symptoms that have started or become more intense since your last visit
• Time to do physical tests to evaluate progress
• More complicated situations that may need more careful observation.
• Where your GP thinks it is clinically more suitable to review the situation in person.

Your doctor will always let you know if this is the case, and help arrange a suitable appointment.

The consultation will consist of a few minutes.The consultation will take a few minutes.

Understanding what to anticipate can contribute to being more ready for the call.

Before the Call

• A time for your appointment will be provided.
• Having Medicare card and pertinent medical information handy is helpful.

During the Call

• Dr Dong Zhao will contact you at the time you have scheduled.
• You will review your objectives, symptoms or treatment plan since your last visit.
• May ask further questions to clarify the situation.
• If necessary, he can suggest attending a personal follow-up instead.

After the Call

• A prescription, referral or recommendation to do more tests may be provided.
• Next steps and future follow up appointments will be dictated to you.

Telehealth GP For Follow-Up Consultation Canberra

To get ready for the call, follow these steps:

With a bit of preparation you can get the most out of your appointment. Before your telehealth GP follow-up appointment, think about the following:

• Choose a secluded place where you will be able to discuss the situation without distractions.
• Please carry your Medicare card to be billed.
• Record any changes or questions beforehand, as it’s easy to forget things while on the call.
• Outline your current medicines, including the doses, particularly if talking about a repeat prescription.
• Have a pen and paper handy to jot down any tips provided during the meeting.
• Arrive when scheduled, phone with power and ready.

Medicare coverage of Telehealth Follow-Up Appointments

Patients who have seen their GP (or another GP at the same practice) face-to-face in the last 12 months can usually access Medicare funded GP telehealth services. Services Australia is the Australian Government’s provider of Medicare benefits for telehealth services and confirms this.

Conditions for eligibility may vary, so please check with the practice’s reception staff before booking.

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to book a telehealth follow up appointment with Dr Dong Zhao.

Following up with Dr Dong Zhao of Verity Medical Practice is easy – simply book a phone consultation:

1. Please call the practice on (02) 5104 6406 or reception@veritymedicalpractice.com.au.
2. Let reception know it’s a follow-up and that you’d like a telephone consultation.
3. If you have any questions about Medicare telehealth coverage, check with the reception staff.
4. Please be ready for your doctor’s call at the appointment time.

Verity Medical Practice can be found at Unit 11, 100 Eastern Valley Way (CISAC), Belconnen ACT 2617 and is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

FAQs

Are there any follow-up appointments that can’t be made over the phone?

Not always. Simple check-ins are generally appropriate for a telephone appointment, but if these are new or worsening symptoms, or if the condition is one that requires a physical exam, an in-person visit may be indicated.

When will I be able to schedule a follow-up tele-appointment after my last in-person appointment?

This will be dependent upon your personal treatment plan. Your GP will often tell you when to contact them again, this could be at a certain time or when certain symptoms alter.

Do I have to make an appointment someday?

Possibly. Although the majority of follow-up will be done by telephone, your GP may sometimes want to see you face to face, or if your condition changes in a manner that requires more detailed evaluation.

Are there opportunities to discuss medication changes at a follow-up appointment over the phone?

Yes. Clinically appropriate medication review – including dosage adjustments, or repeat prescriptions – is often discussed at follow-up telehealth consultations.

Is a telehealth GP follow-up appointment covered by Medicare?

The Medicare-funded telehealth follow-up is typically available if you’ve seen a GP at your practice (or another GP at your same practice) in person within the last 12 months. Please consult reception if you have any doubts.

If my condition has changed in between phone follow-ups?

If there is a change or worsening of symptoms, please reach out to the practice as soon as possible. In certain circumstances, you might be advised to make a face-to-face appointment instead of a planned follow-up appointment.