What is Telemedicine?

I have active Regional and City practices, a situation created by our busy family with 3 children. I enjoy looking after rural patients and I understand some of the difficulties that you can encounter just getting to a clinic, as well as the issues that be caused by leaving your rural property. This is also possibly relevant to patients based overseas.

Clearly a face-to-face consultation is preferable, but we can arrange for an initial assessment to be done for patients via Telehealth, (videoconferencing) then decide from that point the next step in management. Similarly, for routine follow-up appointments we may be able to use a Telehealth consultation. This can drastically cut the time spent on travel, fuel costs, parking costs, accommodation, etc.

Who is eligible for Telemedicine services?

You must:

• Live at least 20km from one of my Regional Clinics. This is a Medicare requirement.
• Have a valid referral from your referring Doctor.
• Be able to communicate via video conferencing (both audio and visual) using Skype or Facetime.

How do I arrange a Telemedicine Consultation?

If would like to have a Telehealth consultation please call our rooms on 1300 20 88 99. Let the receptionist know your circumstances and ask for your initial consultation to be performed by Telemedicine. Our Friendly Clinic staff will assist you in making a convenient appointment time for your Telemedicine Consultation. A letter from your referring Doctor will help to determine whether you need an urgent appointment. Please check the Telemedicine Checklist a minimum of 1 week in advance of your consultation.

On the day of your Telemedicine Consultation, clinic staff will contact your nominated video conferencing account. Payment of any out of pocket expenses can be made by Credit Card and a receipt will be emailed to you.

After your consultation Dr. Thornton-Bott will send a letter to your referring Doctor (and other health care providers involved in your care) explaining the findings and recommendations for your ongoing management.

This information has been produced for the purposes of patient education. The details provided are for general guidance only and do not substitute for professional recommendations based an individual clinical assessment.

Telehealth Appointment Checklist to be able to be printed separately

Telehealth is a major advance for thousands of more rurally based patients, but it does require a few things to get organised ahead of time:

• A Valid Referral: You are required to email (admin@paulthorntonbott.com.au ) or fax through a valid referral from your GP prior to your scheduled appointment.
• A Completed and Returned Patient Registration Form including your Medicare Card and/or Insurance Information.
• Imaging and X Rays: Dr Paul Thornton-Bott will need to see copies of your imaging to make a correct assessment of your problem. Please ensure that you have sent through a copy of your imaging digitally/online, or that you have scanned and sent through your images. This MUST BE the actual images not the report. Radiology reports are not satisfactory to make accurate management recommendations. Please contact the rooms ahead of time to ensure that we have received all the correct imaging.
• Copies of operation records & medical notes if you have had previous treatment elsewhere. In particular this relates to previous surgical procedure records. These need to have been sent in advance.
• A Smartphone or Computer: you need to be able to run Skype with a steady internet connection
• Skype: Skype is a video conferencing app that is free to download from the app store or online, you are required to register this application prior to your scheduled appointment. www.skype.com Dr. Thornton-Bott’s Skype ID is: XXXXXXXXX
• A Quiet Location: Please arrange for your Telehealth appointment to occur in a quiet place, eg home office or similar, where there won’t be interruptions and you will be able to hear, and be heard without distraction.
• Appropriate attire for your physical examination.