COVID-19 telehealth survey outcomes

Brisbane North PHN recently undertook a regionwide snapshot to identify trends in the uptake and adoption of telehealth care by general practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The purpose of the survey was to understand the impact of COVID-19 on workplaces and inform the direction of the PHN’s support on telehealth implementation.

The PHN also want to identify what training is needed within general practices, plus areas of future support that might be required as we move into the recovery phase.

Ninety-four responses (27 per cent) were received from practices and the findings are summarised below.

CURRENT TELEHEALTH MODALITY USE

The preferred telehealth modality currently in use across general practices: includes phone (65 per cent), followed by phone and video (35 per cent).

PREFERRED VIDEO PLATFORM

The preferred video platform in use by general practices includes health direct (44 per cent), followed by Zoom (28 per cent), other (15 per cent) based on client preference including Microsoft Teams, Coviu, FaceTime and Skype (12 per cent).

TELEHEALTH CARE UPTAKE BY GENERAL PRACTICES IN BRISBANE NORTH PHN

• 38 general practices identified that telehealth appointments were occurring up to 25 per cent of the time.
  
• 39 general practices identified that telehealth appointments were occurring 25–50 per cent of the time.
  
• 14 general practices identified that telehealth appointments were occurring 50–75 per cent of the time.
• 3 general practices identified that telehealth appointments were occurring 75–100 per cent of the time.

POST-PANDEMIC PREFERENCES

General practices identified the following preferences for how they would like to continue to use telehealth after the pandemic:

TELEHEALTH WAS IDENTIFIED AS BEING PREFERRED FOR:

1. follow up appointments
2. issuing prescriptions
3. with enrolled patients
4. short consultations.

TELEHEALTH WAS IDENTIFIED AS BEING LESS PREFERRED FOR:

1. management of chronic disease
2. long consultations
3. new appointments.

If you want to provide feedback on how your practice used telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic contact your Primary Care Liaison Officer on 07 3630 7300 or email info@brisbanenorthphn.org.au.