What is an Online Doctor?
Written by Sai Pragna Chagarla, Staff Writer – Hola Health Medically Reviewed by Dr. Vishnu Gopalan, Chief Medical Officer - Hola Health, Updated on 22 August, 2024

Contents

What is telehealth?
Telehealth delivers virtual healthcare services with the help of telecommunications technology such as the internet. In Australia, more than 118.2 million telehealth services are delivered to 18 million patients by 95,000+ prescribers post-May 2020 according to digihealth.gov.au website. There are many telehealth services such as online consultations, instant scripts, online medical certificates, mental health care plans, referrals, and pharmacy delivery. These are delivered by registered Australian medical practitioners using reputed telehealth platforms.What To Expect From A Consult With An Online Doctor ?
- Full name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Email address
- Mobile number – It’s important that a mobile phone number is provided as all prescriptions issued are generated as e-prescriptions, and an email address is used to provide any referrals or certificates.
- You will need to provide your Medicare number (or IHI) to be issued a prescription.
- General illness
- Earache
- Coughs and chest infections
- Headaches
- Mental health
- Skin conditions
- Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
- Asthma
- Heartburn and reflux
- Sexual health
- Specialist referrals
- Pathology & radiology requests
- Instant Scripts
- Online Medical certificates
- After-hours care
Online doctor vs. in-person doctor
Online doctor pros:
- Round-the-clock access to medical support
- Saves time taken to travel to the hospital
- Immediate appointments and no wait lines in the hospital
- Issuance of a medical certificate or instant script online
- No stigma faced when discussing mental health concerns
- More time to relax and recover
- Saves money as you don’t need to take off to get a prescription or to travel to the clinic
Online doctor cons:
- Limitations to what they can treat and prescribe as they cannot check a person physically
- Connectivity issues or technical knowledge barriers
- Cannot maintain the doctor-patient relationship with the doctor
In-person doctor pros:
- No limitation to what they can treat or prescribe
- Doctor-patient relationship ensures the doctor already has an idea about your medical history
In-person doctor cons:
- Long wait to get an appointment
- Wait-lines at the clinic
- Need to travel to the clinic on the day that you are sick instead of relaxing at home
- Need to take a day off from work to visit a doctor
Benefits & Limitations of Online Doctors
1. Accessibility
2. Convenience & Ease
3. Reduced costs for patients
- Telehealth video consultations
- Medical certificates
- Online Prescriptions
4. Travelling for holidays or work
5. Reduced load on the healthcare system
What equipment do you need to speak to an online doctor?
Here’s the equipment you need to speak to a telehealth doctor:- A device that can be connected to the internet such as a laptop/desktop/mobile phone/tablet
- Active internet connection
- Microphone and speakers
- Web camera
How does an online doctor appointment work?
Patients with minor illnesses, minor injuries, chronic conditions, mental health concerns, or seeking medical advice usually look for a virtual doctor consultation. Here is a step-by-step guide to an online doctor appointment:- Identify a reputed telehealth platform which provides consultations with registered Australian medical practitioners
- Check for the reviews and testimonials of the telehealth provider to understand service quality, speed, and accuracy.
- Go to their telehealth consultations page and request to see a doctor now
- Fill in your details
- Make payment through their secure gateway
- Connect to an online doctor using the link provided
- Speak to an online doctor regarding your medical concerns and seek the help needed.
- After the telehealth consultation, if necessary, the doctor will issue an online prescription via SMS or an online medical certificate via your registered email.
- If the telehealth doctor thinks further investigation is necessary, they might issue either a specialist referral, pathology referral, or radiology referral
Tips for an effective telehealth appointment with an online doctor
Preparing ahead is important to have an efficient telehealth appointment. Here are some tips maximise the use of your consult:- Check your device, microphone, web camera, internet connection ahead of time
- Download the app or visit the consult link to make yourself familiar with the software
- Choose a quiet, well-lit area to take the telehealth call
- Keep your past medical history, documents, and medical records ready and in order
- Write down a list of questions and concerns to ask your telehealth doctor ahead of time
- Ensure you have a pen and paper to record the doctor’s instructions
- Clearly understand the dosage of medicines and any other instructions given.
- Keep the support contact of the telehealth provider ready in case there is any technical issue with the connectivity
Challenges With The Use Of Online Doctors
- Not all consult types can be provided via an online doctor consult. Physical examinations and injections are examples of consultations that still require an in-person visit.
- Internet competence: Patients need to be able to use the application on their chosen device. Some segments of the community, such as the elderly, may not have access to a phone or computer or struggle to use it effectively.
- Availability: Internet access may be limited or even unavailable in some regional and remote areas.
- Access to rebates (government, health insurers) is not always available when using an online doctor.
- Doctors may be unable to prescribe some medicines including sedatives and S8 classification drugs.
- Security & privacy: Whilst reputable online doctors take patient security & privacy very seriously, the nature of the consult being an online transaction means it could be susceptible to risk.
Feeling sick and unsure why? Speak with a GP online in 15 minutes.
Feeling sick and unsure why? Speak with a GP online in 15 minutes.
Reference
What we treat
- Cough
- Nausea & vomiting
- Fever
- Hayfever
- Fatigue
- Sore throat
- Acne
- Hair loss
- Gout
- Eczema
- Rosacea
- Sunburn
- UTI
- Erectile dysfunction
- Contraception
- Morning sickness
- Morning after pill
- Prostate health
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Grief & loss
- Antidepressants
- Premature ejaculation
- Asthma
- Blood pressure
- Blood thinners
- Diabetes
- Cholesterol
- Migraines & headaches
- Allergies
- Body ache
- Heartburn & reflux
- Sleep disorder
- Pain relief
- Gastro
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Disclaimer
This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not indicate that Hola Health provides all treatments or preventive measures mentioned. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. For emergencies please immediately contact 000. Any medical topics discussed are intended to educate, not to imply availability through Hola Health.
Get affordable healthcare on your terms, with quick access to qualified, Australian-registered telehealth doctors & health practitioners, 24/7, 365 days a year. No more searching for ‘doctors near me‘ – Hola connects you instantly.
Address: 79 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
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Get affordable healthcare on your terms, with quick access to qualified, Australian-registered telehealth doctors & health practitioners, 24/7, 365 days a year. No more searching for ‘doctors near me‘ – Hola connects you instantly.
Call 000 for emergency or urgent medical help.
Address: 79 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000
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