Telehealth: Online Consultations
Get access to our experts…. Anywhere, Anytime
The world has rapidly changed in recent times and so at 13th Beach Health Services we are moving with the times. We are lucky at our clinic that we can utilize two amazing things – incredibly experienced practitioners with a wealth of knowledge and the technology to work with patients from the comfort of their own home.
Why we’ve introduced Online Consultations?
With the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic we understand people are rightly fearful and reluctant to leave the house. We get it. But we also know that accidents and acute injuries still occur, chronic pain is still a reality for many people within our community, and people are more than ever looking for guidance and reassurance in their life.
We truly believe that there has never been a time before when looking after our health and wellbeing is as important as it is right now. For over 10 years we have been committed to one goal – to improve the health and wellbeing of the community we love and to achieve exceptional patient outcomes. Online Physiotherapy Consultations allow us to continue to work with the residents of Barwon Heads and the Bellarine Peninsula during these difficult times so when life gets back to normal we can all resume doing the things we love!
Who is Online TeleHealth Consultations suitable for?
For many of our patients, online consultations are a much more convenient and efficient option for a number of reasons-:
– Avoiding traffic! Who hasn’t been stuck on the Barwon Heads Bridge in summer!!
– Parking! We all know how busy Hitchcock Avenue can be some times
– Want access to the best practitioners but might not be accessible where they live
– Following surgery or have an injury or disability that makes travel difficult
– Work remotely
– Self-isolating at home due to coronavirus
– Unwell or immunocompromised
How do Online Consultations with a practitioner work and what do they look like?
We know that being in pain or injured can be scary and frustrating. Online consultations make the process of seeing a health expert simple, we pride ourselves on our caring approach and large emphasis on getting results for our patients.
The aim of these consults is exactly the same as normal face-to-face consults. We want to reduce your pain, improve your movement patterns, and give you rehabilitation exercises so you get back doing the things you love quickly!
– after booking your appointment online at www.13thbeachhealthservices.com.au , you will be sent an email confirmation with all the details you need including the date, time and paperwork you need to fill out prior to your consultation.
Your Practitioner-:
– will take a detailed case history by asking you a number of questions relating to your general health and your current injury
– what your goals are? (What is important and meaningful to you?)
– may ask you to perform a series of movements and activities relevant to your symptoms.
– will explain to you the details of your injury including a what is wrong (diagnosis), how it is happening (education regarding the relevant anatomy), and a thorough understanding as to why your injury occurred (underlying biomechanics and movement patterns)
– will work together with you to devise a management plan which may include treatment, education, strengthening exercises, stretching advice, movement-based therapy, or muscle release techniques to ensure we get rid of your pain and get you back doing the things you love.
FAQ
What is the benefit from seeing a Physiotherapist or Osteopath and what do online consults look like?
One of the greatest strengths of our world class team of practitioners is that we have a wide range of skills to utilise when seeing a patient, in addition to those that are manual or “hands on” based. We use these skills in every consult but people often aren’t aware as the focus usually shifts to the physical treatment. We are experts in assessment and in most case can provide a provisional diagnosis before we have even touched our patient, by using thorough subjective and objective assessment skills.
We also utilise a wide range of non-contact treatments including education, rehabilitation exercises, pilates, stretches, self massage, breathing and relaxation techniques, movement correction, self taping and activity modification just to name a few !
What this means is that if we take away the in person aspect of the treatment we are left with a wide variety of options that we can use to assist you from the comfort of your own home. It remains safe and confidential as with any normal in rooms consult, but it takes away all the infection risks we are currently faced with in today’s ever changing situation.
Self management has always been a core value of effective treatment that sets us apart from other allied health professionals on the Bellarine Penisula. We want to give you the skills to manage your own health or symptoms and evidence shows this to be the most effective way of providing treatment. This online platform will give us the perfect opportunity to stay connected with our patients and the wider community in what are extremely challenging and unprecedented times.
What do I wear?
Just like you would in the clinic, wear loose comfortable clothing.
What do I need to bring to my online consultation?
Just yourself in a quiet room with a computer, laptop, or mobile phone.
How long are consultations and what do they cost?
Initial consultations typically last 45-60 minutes and cost $75
Return consultations typically last 25-30 minutes and cost $50
*Please note Telehealth paperwork may take 10-15 minutes to complete
Can I claim from my health fund or GP care plan (EPC)?
Unfortunately no rebates currently apply for online Osteopathy consultations. However as of the 14th of April Physiotherapy will be eligible to claim through your private health funds for online consultations. Please be aware that you will have to claim this appointment with your fund directly.
**Some funds may not offer this service so please check before your booking is made.
GP Care Plan (EPC)
Unfortunately EPC’s cannot be used for Telehealth consultations.
How do I book an online TeleHealth Consultation?
The easiest way is to follow the ‘make appointment’ tab at the top or bottom of this page select ‘Physiotherapy’, or ‘Osteopathy’ and select ‘Telehealth Online Consultation’. Choose your practitioner and time that suits you best and fill out the patient information required for the online booking (returning patients will also have to do this process).
To confirm your booking you must pay for this appointment, our online system will take you straight to a payment page. In which a credit card must be used.
How do I pay?
After choosing your appointment time via our online booking system you will be asked to process your payment with a credit card before the booking is complete.
What happens after my consultation?
A day after your virtual consultation we will send you out a ‘Recommended Action Plan’ outlining the details of your consultation and the advice discussed. For the best outcome please try to follow this advice as closely as possible including a follow-up consultation if required.