General News
13 April, 2022
“Overwhelming need” for Telehealth education
THE Barwon South West (BSW) Telehealth program is set to run a series of consumer education days after public health services expressed an “overwhelming need” to help educate locals on the digital service.
THE Barwon South West (BSW) Telehealth program is set to run a series of consumer education days after public health services expressed an “overwhelming need” to help educate locals on the digital service.
The BSW Telehealth team ran the information day late last month at the Josie Black Community Health Centre in Terang, and will be hosting another event at the Mortlake Community Health Centre on Friday, April 29 from 10am-4pm.
The Telehealth information days are providing locals an opportunity to learn more about what Telehealth is, how an appointment can be accessed and what is needed for an appointment.
Along with the Terang session was a visit from NBN Local advisor Sarah Incoll, who assisted consumers in developing their digital literacy, what connectivity they can receive at their physical address and what to look out for to avoid digital scams.
Telehealth support co-ordinator Christie Berry said the information session was part of ongoing efforts to introduce the technology to locals in the Barwon South West region.
“There has been an overwhelming need expressed by the public health services across the BSW region for the ability to educate consumers in the community about Telehealth and for them to be
empowered and educated on how they can ask their GP, specialist or clinician for a Telehealth appointment,” Ms Berry said.
“This in turn would provide for the consumer reduced travel time, savings in time and money, care closer to home, less disruption to daily routines and greater flexibility for a consumer’s appointment.
“The BSW Telehealth program is committed to providing the best care to its patients as close to home as possible.”
Telehealth or virtual care is the delivery of accessible, patient centric healthcare services, at a distance using information and communication technologies.
Telehealth aims to make it easier for people who live in rural and remote areas, or who have difficulty accessing healthcare providers, to receive care.
The service can be accessed from home via internet through a computer, smartphone or tablet.
Telehealth can also be accessed through a community hub for those who do not have home internet access or simply prefer having someone there to help.
Consumers wanting to use a Community Telehealth Hub throughout the BSW region are invited to ask their health service to find the closest hub.
A Community Telehealth Hub consists of a private room, a computer with internet and friendly staff to assist.
Once an appointment has been arranged, those wanting to access the service can contact their local health service to book the Community Telehealth Hub.
Use of a Community Telehealth Hub is free but charges will still apply as per normal consultations with a clinician.