Services
Telehealth or Online Physiotherapy
We believe high quality physiotherapy care should be available to all but understand that sometimes patients may not be able to attend our Practice due to family circumstances, lack of transport, chronic illness or isolation.
Telehealth Physiotherapy is essentially an online video consultation rather than a face-to-face consultation and delivers the same exceptional level of care as our home-visit, hydrotherapy or in-room treatment sessions. Via the online platform Physiapp/Physitrack, we offer a wide range of physiotherapy techniques to Relieve pain, Retrain movement and Restore function.
What do I need to participate in Telehealth?
You will need a desktop, laptop, smartphone or tablet (with a webcam & speakers) and a reliable internet connection.
It is important that you wear comfortable clothes that will enable us to get an accurate picture of how you are moving at the site of injury, your posture and limitations of movement.
How Does Telehealth work?
When you book a Telehealth consultation, you will receive an email confirmation with a link to join the video call. Simply click this link when it is time for your appointment.
What happens during the initial online consultation?
- Your Physiotherapist will ask a series of questions about your concerns to gain a thorough understanding of your condition, such as how it started and the impact it is having on your day-to-day activities. By the end of this discussion, your Physiotherapist will have a clear idea of the cause of your concern and the probable diagnosis.
- Following this, your Physiotherapist may ask you to perform some tests and movements to confirm the provisional diagnosis.
- Your Physiotherapist will then explain the diagnosis, design a treatment plan tailored to your condition and give you advice and simple tips that can help speed up your recovery. They will also design and talk you through a personalised home exercise program.
What happens after the initial online consultation?
You will receive your personalised home exercise program via email with access to videos
demonstrating the correct way to perform these exercises. Follow up appointments involve assessing the effects of your previous treatment and exercise program, adjusting the program or exercises and continuing to progress you along your recovery journey.
What type of problems can be treated with online physiotherapy?
The majority of musculoskeletal conditions and sports injuries, post-op rehabilitation programs and some neurological conditions are suitable for Telehealth consultations. We know through research that most injuries and conditions involving joints and soft tissue respond very well to expert advice given in person or via Telehealth.
Don’t I need hands-on treatment for Physiotherapy to be effective?
Hands-on techniques only play a small role in helping you recover from your injury. Expert
advice, education and personalised rehabilitation programs carried out under guidance are the most effective tools in addressing pain and injury. Research has shown that online consultations are equally effective as face-to-face sessions due to the empowering nature of the program.
How long will a Telehealth consultation last?
As with all other consultations, an initial consultation is scheduled for 30min and a subsequent
consultation 20-30min.
How do I pay for my telehealth consultation?
Medicare is subsidising Physiotherapy Telehealth consultations until 30 September 2020 with a doctor’s referral.
Many private health funds have also agreed to provide benefits for physiotherapy telehealth consultations (also via a doctors referral) from 14 April 2020. Please check with your respective health insurer regarding their policy.
NDIS clients, DVA cardholders and Workcover participants can also be seen under telehealth where appropriate.
All private telehealth consultations must be paid before the consultation begins. You can pay directly using Paypal (catwood@bigpond.net.au) , direct credit to our bank account or by ringing 9838 3030 to pay by credit card.