Telehealth GP for Test Results: Can You Discuss Results Online?

The delay of test results can be distressing and when they are reported, the significance has to be explained by your GP. But is this discussion a face-to-face conversation?

For many patients, a GP by telephone is a convenient alternative for receiving test results. Dr Dong Zhao, a GP at Verity Medical Practice provides telephone consultations which may be arranged instead of coming into clinic to discuss pathology/imaging results in many cases.

This article details how this works, what can be discussed over the phone, who it may be suitable for and how to prepare for and arrange a consultation.

Telehealth GP for Test Results

May I talk about Test Results over the telephone?

In many cases, yes. The telehealth GP for test result consultation service lets you discuss your pathology or imaging result with your GP by phone instead of making an appointment to just hear your test result.

One of the more frequent applications of telehealth in general practice is to help manage chronic conditions. Healthdirect Australia says telehealth is used when it’s safe and clinically appropriate and is often used for simple follow-up conversations, like reviewing test results.

Depending on the results and the tests performed, it may be possible to discuss your specific results over the phone. Simple or consistent outcomes make a phone conversation an appropriate format. If the results are more complex or serious, then it might be necessary to discuss them face-to-face with your doctor so you can understand the detail and what to do next.

How a Telephone Consultation for Test Results Works

The typical procedure for arranging a phone consultation to discuss the results with Dr Dong Zhao at Verity Medical Practice is as follows:

1. You call the practice and arrange a call to discuss the results.
2. You’re given a scheduled appointment time.
3. Dr Dong Zhao calls you and discusses your test results.
4. If this is what is determined, you might receive more information, a referral, a new prescription or a recommendation for further testing.

Telehealth has been becoming a Medicare supported component for general practice since its expansion during COVID-19. The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing are confirming that the expanded telehealth arrangements are a permanent change to Medicare from January 2022.

Telehealth GP for Test Results Belconnen

What can be discussed in a test results consultation?

The appointments with the telehealth GP for test results can usually discuss the following aspects of your test results:

• Pathology results (blood tests) including what these numbers mean and if any action is required.
• Imaging results (Xray, ultrasound, scan) where a simple explanation can be given.
• Further testing, specialist referral or change of treatment, if necessary,
• If your results suggest you should change your medication(s) this will be done.
• General enquiries, such as about a pathology report,

If your results indicate a more complicated or serious issue, Dr Dong Zhao may suggest an in-person meeting to ensure that he discusses everything in detail and conducts an examination if necessary.

Who Can Benefit from a Phone Consultation about Results?

While a phone consultation is not necessarily suitable for all situations, it can be beneficial for many people getting tested. If you may benefit from a telehealth GP for test results appointment:

• You’ll get a simple answer. The results of a lot of routine tests or screenings will be easy to explain over the phone.
• You’re simply confirming a normal result. If results aren’t spectacular, it could be as simple as a phone call.
• You have an established relationship with the practice. This means your GP can put your findings into perspective of your medical history.
• Have work or family responsibilities. A telephone call can be a simpler event to work into a hectic day than an actual visit.
• You have a chronic condition and are taking steps to follow up. Sometimes a phone discussion is a good way to facilitate routine monitoring results, including diabetes or cholesterol.
• In certain situations, instead of an In-Person Consultation, a website consultation will be used.

Certain results are best discussed in person. This may include:

• Results that indicate a new or serious diagnosis
• Any findings that need a physical exam to be properly diagnosed.
• Complex results that require detailed explanation, diagrams or supporting documentation.
• Any case where your GP thinks it would be more suitable for a face-to-face discussion to take place.

Your doctor will always inform you if this is the case, and will make an appointment more suitable for you.

During the consultation, your doctor will address the following:

Knowing what to expect can help you feel more prepared for the call.

Before the Call

• You’ll be given a scheduled appointment time.
• Having your Medicare card and previous test results and referral letters handy is helpful.

During the Call

• You will be contacted by phone by Dr.Dong Zhao at the time scheduled.
• He will review your test results and provide you with an explanation of the results.
• Feel free to ask questions on anything you don’t understand.
• He may also suggest an in-person follow-up if necessary.

After the Call

• A referral, prescription or recommendation for additional tests may be provided.
• Any necessary next steps and any follow-up appointments will be advised to you.

Why do you need to prepare before the call?

If you’re able to make the most of your appointment, you’ll find a little preparation will help you. Before telehealth GP for test results consultation, think about the following:

• Avoid sharing this with others or in a public setting where you will seek out a private and quiet area to talk through it with a particular focus on ensuring that you can hear and absorb the information.
• Bring Medicare card in case they need to bill it.
• List all the questions ahead of time as it’s easy to forget things on a call.
• Bring a pen and paper with to jot down important information that the doctor gives you.
• Have a charged phone on hand at the appointed time for your appointment.
• Bring all relevant papers with you if applicable, eg. referral letter or previous results.

Medicare coverage for telehealth visits

Medicare funded GP telehealth services are typically available for people with a GP face-to-face consultation, or another GP from the same practice, in the previous 12 months. Services Australia, which is responsible for the administration of Medicare benefits for telehealth on behalf of the Australian Government, confirms this.

You should check your individual situation with the practice reception before booking as this may vary according to individual practice.

Telephone consultations are offered on a fee-for-service basis. Dr Dong Zhao offers fee-for-service Telephone Consultations.

It’s very easy to book a phone consultation with Dr Dong Zhao at Verity Medical Practice and discuss your test results with him.

1. Call the practice on 02 5104 6406 or reception@veritymedicalpractice.com.au.
2. Check with reception to see if they are available and if you would like a telephone consultation about the results.
3. If you aren’t certain, verify Medicare Telehealth eligibility with the reception staff.
4. Be ready to be seen by the doctor at the appointed time.

Verity Medical Practice is located at Unit 11, 100 Eastern Valley Way (CISAC), Belconnen ACT 2617 and operates Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5.30pm and Saturday from 8.30am to 3.00pm.

Telehealth GP for Test Results ACT

FAQs

Are all test results able to be discussed on the phone?

Not always. If your results are straightforward or stable, a phone consultation may be appropriate, but if the result is more complex or significant, a face-to-face meeting may be better, as your doctor will be able to explain the details and next steps more easily.

When are my result ready for discussion?

Your GP’s surgery will let you know when the results are in – or you can call the reception to find out. Then, you can book a phone appointment to discuss them.

Do I need to have a follow up appointment after talking about my results over the phone?

This will depend on the results. In some cases, additional testing, a referral or an in person review may be necessary, and in other cases it might simply be a reassurance or a minor medication adjustment.

May I ask questions when seeing the GP on the telephone for test results?

Yes. Feel free to ask questions about something you don’t understand, such as if you have any specific terms you don’t understand in your report or if you don’t understand what any recommended next steps involve.

Is it OK to talk about sensitive test results on the phone?

As with face-to-face visits, the patient is treated with privacy and confidentiality during telehealth check-ups at Verity Medical Practice. But your GP may still suggest a face-to-face consultation if the result is very important or complicated.

Is it required to be an existing patient to discuss results over the phone?

In general, Medicare-funded telehealth will need a face-to-face visit to a GP at the same practice within the past 12 months. If you are a new patient, please call reception to check the eligibility.

Final Thoughts

A telehealth GP for test results consultation can be convenient for many patients as they can receive information on test results or imaging without having to make a clinic appointment. Dr Dong Zhao at Verity Medical Practice will be able to discuss the results in a simple manner over the phone, and will advise you to visit for the results whenever appropriate.

If you have awaited results and wish to have a discussion about these over the phone, please call Verity Medical Practice directly. Their reception staff will verify your eligibility and make an appropriate appointment with Dr Dong Zhao.