The COVID-19 pandemic drastically reshaped how Australians access healthcare services. To maintain the continuity of care while limiting face-to-face interactions, telehealth services became a critical part of the nation’s healthcare infrastructure.
What began as a short-term emergency measure has now evolved into a long-term shift in service delivery, bringing substantial benefits to patients, practitioners, and the Australian healthcare system.
What Is Telehealth?
Telehealth refers to the remote delivery of medical services, including GP consultations, specialist assessments, mental health care, and chronic disease management, using digital communication technologies.
In Australia, telehealth consultations are typically conducted via video calls or telephone.This model enhances patient access, especially for those living in rural and remote areas, while maintaining high-quality healthcare services through virtual means. It has become an integral feature of telehealth that patients can access timely care without logistical challenges.
COVID-19 and the Acceleration of Telehealth
Before the pandemic, telehealth in Australia was available but limited in scope, mainly to patients in rural regions and for specific conditions. However, in March 2020, the Australian Government rapidly implemented COVID-19 telehealth measures, adding over 280 new Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) items to support services delivered via telehealth.
From March 2020 to October 2022, over 118 million telehealth services were delivered to 17 million patients, involving over 95,000 practitioners across the country.
This unprecedented growth marked a significant transition to telehealth, with MBS data showing that nearly one in five MBS services in mid-2020 was delivered through telehealth.
Benefits of Telehealth for Australians
The value of telehealth in Australia became clear early in the pandemic. Key benefits include:
- Improved access to primary care and specialists for people living in rural and remote areas
- Reduced exposure to infectious diseases for both patients and healthcare workers
- Increased service delivery efficiency
- Ongoing consultations for patients with chronic illnesses
- Greater convenience for elderly or immobile individuals
A 2021 report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) noted that 22% of Australians used telehealth services within three months during the height of the pandemic, with highest usage among older adults and those with existing health conditions.
Telehealth in Primary and Specialist Care
General practitioners (GPs) were at the forefront of the telehealth implementation in Australia, using digital platforms to manage everything from cold symptoms to mental health issues.
Meanwhile, specialists—such as those in oncology, psychiatry, and medicinal cannabis prescribing—also adopted telehealth services, allowing patients to receive expert care regardless of location. This was especially important for people requiring ongoing management who couldn’t travel due to lockdowns or health risks.
A review in the Medical Journal of Australia found that telehealth services offered during the pandemic had “no clinically significant difference in patient satisfaction and outcomes” compared to face-to-face care, underscoring the effectiveness of telehealth.
Medicare Benefits and Government Support
The Government’s commitment to Medicare benefits for telehealth consults was critical to ensuring success. Initially temporary, the MBS telehealth schedule was revised in December 2021 to support long-term access to telehealth, reinforcing it as a permanent part of Australia’s healthcare system.
This ongoing support allows patients and healthcare providers to maintain telehealth services for a wide range of conditions, including mental health, oncology, and chronic illness, areas where continuity of care is essential.
Addressing Rural Disparities in Healthcare Access
One of the most promising outcomes of telehealth services introduced in response to the pandemic is how they improved access to healthcare services for those in remote communities.
According to the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Australians in remote regions face a 2-3 times higher burden of chronic disease than urban populations, and telehealth is bridging this gap by making specialist care more accessible.
TGA-Compliant Care and Telehealth Prescribing
For authorised prescribers of medicinal cannabis, including those using telehealth services, compliance with Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) guidelines remains essential.
Prescribers must maintain accurate records, ensure patient safety through comprehensive assessments, and follow all legislative requirements for Schedule 8 medicines. This safeguards patients and maintains the integrity of telehealth in general medical practice.
Challenges and the Future of Telehealth
While the shift to telehealth has been largely positive, several challenges remain, such as:
- Ensuring privacy and data security
- Digital literacy gaps among older populations
- Infrastructure limitations in extremely remote areas
Future advancements in telehealth implementation may include better technology integration, AI-assisted triage, and seamless integration with electronic health records. The extent to which telehealth continues to evolve depends on technological progress, patient demand, and continued government support.
Embracing the Future of Australian Healthcare
The expansion of telehealth during the pandemic demonstrated its viability and value across primary healthcare and specialist services. With government backing and strong patient outcomes, telehealth services are now a central pillar of Australian healthcare.
For doctors and specialists prescribing regulated treatments like medicinal cannabis, telehealth offers a secure, compliant, and highly effective way to reach more patients, especially those in underserved regions.
At CannaDr, we proudly support this digital evolution, helping healthcare professionals streamline consultations and deliver trusted care via telehealth all while remaining TGA-compliant.