The rapid growth of telehealth in Australia has given patients more choice than ever in how they access medical care. But is a video call really as good as sitting across from a doctor in person? The honest answer is: it depends on the situation.
When Telehealth Works Well
Telehealth is particularly well-suited for consultations that are primarily conversation-based — where the prescriber needs to understand your history, discuss symptoms, review treatment options, and make clinical decisions based on information you can share verbally and visually.
This includes:
- Initial assessments for conditions like weight management, where the prescriber reviews your health history, goals, and suitability for treatment
- Follow-up appointments to check on progress, adjust dosages, and address concerns
- Mental health consultations where the primary interaction is conversational
- Medication reviews and treatment plan discussions
- Specialist referrals where the consultation is advisory in nature
For these types of appointments, research consistently shows that telehealth delivers outcomes comparable to in-person care, with the added benefits of convenience and accessibility.
When In-Person Is Better
There are situations where a physical examination is necessary and telehealth is not appropriate:
- Conditions requiring hands-on assessment (palpation, auscultation, physical manipulation)
- Emergency or acute care situations
- Procedures and diagnostic tests
- Complex cases requiring multiple specialists in the same room
A responsible telehealth provider will always refer you to in-person care when the clinical situation requires it. At Velora HealthConnect, our prescribers are trained to identify when a patient needs face-to-face assessment and will facilitate an appropriate referral.
The Real Benefits of Telehealth
Beyond convenience, telehealth offers several practical advantages that often get overlooked:
Accessibility: If you live in regional or rural Australia, accessing specialist healthcare can mean hours of travel. Telehealth eliminates this barrier entirely — you receive the same quality of care regardless of your postcode.
Consistency of care: With telehealth, you see the same prescriber at every appointment. There is no lottery of which doctor is available on the day. This continuity builds a genuine therapeutic relationship and leads to better outcomes.
Reduced wait times: Without the bottleneck of a physical waiting room, telehealth appointments typically run closer to schedule. Less waiting, more time spent on your actual consultation.
Comfort and privacy: For sensitive health topics — weight management, medical cannabis, mental health — many patients feel more comfortable discussing their situation from the privacy of their own home.
Better follow-up compliance: When a follow-up appointment requires nothing more than finding a quiet spot and connecting via your phone, patients are far more likely to attend. This is critical for treatments that require ongoing monitoring.
Getting the Most From a Telehealth Appointment
To ensure your telehealth consultation is as productive as an in-person visit, here are some practical tips:
- Find a quiet, private space — This helps both you and your prescriber focus on the conversation without distractions
- Test your technology — Check your internet connection, camera, and microphone before the appointment
- Have your information ready — Current medications, relevant medical records, and any specific questions you want to ask
- Be honest and thorough — Your prescriber can only work with the information you provide. Do not downplay symptoms or leave out relevant history
- Take notes — Write down key points, recommendations, and next steps during or immediately after the consultation
The Velora Approach
At Velora HealthConnect, telehealth is not a compromise — it is our primary model of care by design. Our specialisations (weight management, peptide therapy, and medical cannabis) are ideally suited to telehealth delivery, as they are primarily consultation and monitoring-based.
What makes our approach different is not the technology — it is the follow-up. Every patient receives scheduled check-in appointments, access to a dedicated support team between visits, and ongoing treatment monitoring. The telehealth format actually makes this easier, not harder, because appointments are simpler to schedule and attend.
Key Takeaways
- Telehealth is clinically appropriate for many types of consultations, particularly those that are conversation-based
- It offers real benefits in accessibility, consistency, privacy, and follow-up compliance
- A good telehealth provider will refer you to in-person care when the situation requires it
- Preparation is key — treat a telehealth appointment with the same seriousness as an in-person visit
- The quality of telehealth care is determined by the provider, not the platform
Ready to experience telehealth done properly? Contact our team to discuss your health goals with an Australian-registered prescriber.
