Telehealth

telehealth for physiotherapy

What is Telehealth and How Does it work?

Telehealth is a video or phone consultation between a health professional and patient. Consultations are used for advice and exercises supervised by our qualified physiotherapists and exercise physiologists when you’re unable to come into the clinic.

We are using the Covu platform for our consultations. It is a highly secure, encrypted link, which is being used by many other Allied Health professionals around Australia. Our Receptionist will call you prior to the appointment to assist you to set up the call, it’s very quick and easy.

You will be invited via email; where all you will need to do to enter the consultation is to click on the link, making sure that the device you’re using (whether it be laptop, phone or tablet) has both microphone and camera enabled.

Does It Actually Work? What About The Hands On Massage Bit?

There is strong evidence (click here for list of research articles) that demonstrates the use of Telehealth consultations as being just as effective as in person consultations for a range of musculoskeletal conditions. You might think that a Telehealth consultation is not as good as a hands-on consultation, but the results show that online consultations have just as good diagnoses as a hands-on consultation. As a patient you will be more involved in your treatment and will do more self-treatment, which is more empowering and helps you to take control of your injury/body. Results also show that outcomes of an online Telehealth session are similar or better than a face to face consultation.

Our Telehealth Physio consultations are cheaper than our in-rooms consults and will be $80 per 30 minutes and $150 for 60 minutes. Our Receptionists will call you prior to the appointment to take payment via credit card over the phone. We will send an invoice to you via email. Some Private Health companies have specific Telehealth codes to allow you to claim the consultations.

If you are on Workcover or hold an appropriate DVA card or have an EPC (medicare) referral you can be seen via Telehealth.

You can book your Telehealth consultation by calling us on (07) 40536222 or you can book on line just mention you are looking for a Telehealth consult and we will call you to set you up and answer any questions.

What Injuries/Conditions Can Telehealth Assist With?

Telehealth is great for many conditions:

  • General low back and neck pain
  • Post op joint surgery like ACL reconstruction, Hip and Knee Replacements, Shoulder or knee arthroscopy
  • Ankle sprains
  • Shoulder pain like Subacromial bursitis, rotator cuff injury
  • Tennis elbow
  • General Exercise prescription
  • Already had an initial face to face consultation for anything else, continuing care via Telehealth is a great option.
  • Women’s health condition like incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse

This is not an exhaustive list, if you have issues with something not on this list then please call us to discuss on (07) 40536222 or email us at physio@proactivephysio.com.au

Preparing For Your Telehealth Appointment

There are a few things you can do to prepare for your Telehealth appointment that will allow you to get the most out of time with Physio:

  • Ensure battery on Phone/Tablet is fully charged
  • Test video camera and microphone are working. Our receptionists can do a test on this if you require.
  • Ensure you wear appropriate clothing, such that you are able to move freely and the Physio will have access to see the area, where appropriate.
  • Set up your space and leave enough room so that you can step back from the camera,
    • have somewhere to lie down to perform exercises or assessment tests
    • have a chair close by
  • You may need a partner or family member present to hold the phone or tablet whilst you perform the assessment or follow exercises.
  • If you have any exercise equipment at home, i.e dumbbells, kettle bells, yoga mats, resistance bands, spiky balls, foam rollers. Have them handy so we can use them during the consultation.

If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.