Report finds telehealth equally effective as face-to-face treatment

The report by Rehab Management found services including occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology reported positive patient outcomes, suggesting telehealth was equally effective as a face-to-face treatment and more cost-effective in some cases.

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Newstead Medical practice partner Dr Toby Gardner said the telehealth had been received well by patients and doctors alike.

"We've welcomed telehealth across all specialities actually, and we hope its here to stay," he said.

Dr Gardner said as there was no need to physically examine patients the psychiatric service worked well through the medium.

"Patients love it because there's a lack of psychiatrists in Launceston, so it just gives us more access to more psychiatrists around Australia," he said.

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Dr Gardner said telehealth services for physiotherapy had also been successful by treating patients through the virtual fracture clinic at the Launceston General Hospital.

"Already we're doing follow-ups of people after fractures and injuries through telehealth because a lot of the time they can explain what they need to rehab the fracture without having to see them in person - unless the cast obviously needs to be replaced," he said.

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