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AMA (NSW) strongly endorses a new report from the Bureau of Health Information (BHI), which indicates an overwhelming number of Australians support virtual care as part of their health plan.
AMA (NSW) President Dr Michael Bonning said today that virtual care must be embedded as a core long-term element of the Australian health system.
“Necessity is the mother of invention,” Dr Bonning said.
“The widespread use of virtual care allowed us as medical professionals to navigate the unprecedented challenges of providing quality primary care throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Virtual care throughout the pandemic provided both high quality primary care and supported engagement between primary care and specialist doctors – to everyone’s benefit.
“It’s proven to be a convenient and cost-effective option that we believe should remain widely available.
“While it should not be a replacement for in-person visits, it is a vital tool which increases options for patient care and offers access to health treatment where none may be available.
“It has been especially pioneering in rural, remote, and regional communities where GP and other health workforce shortages affect timely patient access to care when they need it.
“Virtual care has emerged as a crucial lifeline for many Australians.”
The BHI report analysed the experiences of 2,301 patients who had at least one virtual care appointment with a public hospital outpatient clinic in 2022. Of those, at least 1,554 patients also had at least one virtual care appointment with a GP.
In 2022, 1 in 5 outpatient services provided by NSW Health was through virtual care. Of those:
* 67% rated their overall virtual care experience as very good
* 88% said in their most recent virtual care appointment that the health professional explained things in an easy-to-understand manner
* 83% said they were involved as much as they wanted to be in the decisions about their care and treatment
* 71% said the care and treatment received through virtual care helped them.
* 44% said they would definitely use virtual care again a further 46% said yes in selected circumstances.
Data showed that regardless of age, education or longstanding health condition, patients offered similar ratings of virtual care.
Patients who had seen their health professional before were about 1.5 times more likely to rate their overall care as “very good.”
“The key is an ongoing relationship with the same doctor,” Dr Bonning said.
“One of the greatest actions a patient can take is to form an ongoing relationship with the same doctor or the same practice.
“If virtual care helps patients to do this, then that has potential to provide great long-term benefits.
“While this is not always possible, virtual care fills a gap for those with limited alternatives.
“The ideal would be a mix of virtual and in-person care.
“It is important that patients, particularly those with chronic conditions, are seen by doctors as quickly as possible when necessary.
“We know that providing publicly accessible outpatient services is critical to managing healthcare needs in the community, avoiding unplanned deterioration and alleviating pressure on overstretched emergency departments.
“Virtual care is another tool to enable care to be extended to those who need it, when they need it.”
Media contact: 0419 402 955 | news@amansw.com.au