Introduction

Introduction

This guide will help specialist general practitioners (GPs) and broader practice teams provide safe and effective telephone and video consultations. This guide outlines the clinical, administrative and technical considerations for practices introducing this mode of healthcare delivery for the first time. This document is a guide only, and will not cover all scenarios and patient circumstances that may arise in your practice and during consultations.

The increased use of telehealth consultations in recent years has enabled general practices to better support their patients access timely care. General practice consultations should continue to be delivered under a high-quality general practice framework, as defined in The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners’ (RACGP’s) Vision for general practice and a sustainable healthcare system. This can only occur where there is an established relationship between the patient and GP or general practice, and a wide range of services are available. The RACGP does not support the concept of ondemand telehealth consultations between unknown patients and providers.