Digital healthcare model can ease pressure on buckling health system

MEDIA RELEASE

The rapidly growing online digital healthcare industry could cater for at least 20 percent of the national demand for short GP consultations, easing the strain on a health system at breaking point, a new report says.

The report was commissioned by InstantScripts and undertaken by Dr Tony Sherbon, a former Chief Executive of the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority and former Chief Executive of the South Australian Health Department.  

The report found digital health care models like InstantScripts – which currently provides an average of 3,300 short primary care services per day (1 percent of national total) – had potential to cater for around 60,000 short primary care consultations per day – diverting about 21 million consultations per year from overworked general practices. 

“At a cost to government of around $39 per short consultation, it is conceivable that this model could save the Commonwealth Government over $800 million per annum in reduced short consultation demand on the Medicare subsidised system,” the report says, potentially freeing funds for reinvestment in other priority areas across the health system.

The report says the online digital health model could also reduce pressure on GPs who say many short consultations are for repeat prescriptions and medical certificates.

“Recently, a rural GP complained publicly that ‘the challenge for doctors and nurses and hospitals and GPs is we’re overwhelmed with people’s coughs, colds and runny noses, wanting medical certificates’”, the report says

The report says the online model’s current benefits include:

• Patients can access primary care services more conveniently and in an environment that encourages them to discuss their most confidential issues outside of the face-to-face environment. 
• Crowded waiting rooms are avoided.
• Participating medical practitioners can access flexible work arrangements in an environment that suit many who have extensive outside commitments.
• Immunocompromised medical practitioners also have a safe pathway to continuing practice.
• Governments are realising the early benefits of improved access to primary care (particularly in rural communities) at no cost to the taxpayer.

Market research conducted by the Klein Partnership this year, and commissioned by InstantScripts, reported that 53% of respondents to a survey of over 1,400 people expressed a preference for telephone doctor consultation over face-to-face consultation because it was “faster than seeing a doctor”.

Forty-eight per cent preferred the convenience of not leaving home and 33% said it saves time compared to seeing a doctor. Only 18% were deterred by the lack of “bulk billing”.

Dr Sherbon says in the report the model has the potential to increase GP services in regional and remote areas.

“Regional and rural Australians experience great difficulty accessing primary care services – particularly after hours,” he says.

“The InstantScripts model should provide a pathway for governments and communities to provide access for their regional and rural residents to primary care.”

InstantScripts’ Managing Director and founder, Dr Asher Freilich says the report reflects current demand and trends.

“Our service is complementary to the critical role GP visits play in delivering frontline health services, often easing  time pressure so they can focus on more complex health complaints,” he says.

“There is no doubt consumers want greater accessibility to effective health services, delivered when they need them, as an ongoing  part our primary health care system.”

Former Chief Medical Officer of Western Australia and Chair of InstantScripts’ Clinical Governance Committee, Dr Michael Levitt, said the report also provides evidence of the robust Clinical Governance Framework that InstantScripts has adopted.

“Online health care has an important and legitimate role to play in Australia’s evolving healthcare landscape. The clinical oversight from InstantScripts accredited medical professionals ensures that patient safety is always prioritised in the delivery of online healthcare.”

Further information: 

Jessica Ridley 

BTW Media 

[email protected]