Need to see a doctor but can't find a convenient GP appointment? Waiting days for a traditional clinic appointment isn't always practical, especially when you're feeling unwell, need medical advice, or require a prescription or referral.
An online doctor appointment in Australia gives you another option. Instead of travelling to a medical centre and sitting in a waiting room, you can arrange a telehealth consultation from home using your phone or computer.
With NewTeleDoc Medical, you can book an online GP appointment, speak with a registered doctor remotely, and receive appropriate medical advice and treatment based on your consultation.
This guide explains how online doctor appointments work in Australia, what you can discuss with an online GP, how to book, and when you may still need face-to-face medical care.
Key Takeaways
- Book an online doctor appointment in Australia without travelling to a traditional GP clinic.
- Speak with a doctor through a convenient telehealth consultation from home.
- Online GP appointments can be useful for many common health concerns and routine medical needs.
- Depending on your consultation, a doctor may provide a prescription, medical certificate or referral when clinically appropriate.
- Telehealth isn't suitable for every medical condition, particularly emergencies or problems requiring a physical examination.
- Booking an online GP appointment can make accessing healthcare more convenient when visiting a clinic isn't practical.
Table of Contents
- Why Book an Online Doctor Appointment?
- How Does an Online GP Appointment Work?
- What Can an Online Doctor Help With?
- How to Book an Online Doctor Appointment
- Online Doctor vs Traditional GP Appointment
- When Should You See a Doctor in Person?
- Why Choose NewTeleDoc Medical?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Book an Online Doctor Appointment?
When you're sick, the last thing you may want to do is drive to a medical centre, find parking and wait in a busy reception area.
An online doctor appointment allows you to access medical care remotely. You can have your consultation from home, work or another suitable private location without the need for unnecessary travel.
Online GP consultations can be particularly convenient when you have a straightforward health concern that can be assessed through your medical history and a phone or video consultation.
For example, you may want to speak with an online doctor about:
- Cold, flu and COVID-19 symptoms
- Urinary tract infections
- Minor skin conditions
- Allergies
- Some sexual health concerns
- Medication questions
- Repeat prescriptions
- Medical certificates
- Specialist referrals
- Pathology referrals
- Imaging referrals
- General health concerns
The doctor will assess your symptoms and determine whether telehealth is appropriate for your situation.
How Does an Online GP Appointment Work?
Booking an online GP appointment is designed to be straightforward.
1. Book Your Consultation
Choose an available online doctor appointment and provide the required information about yourself and your reason for seeking medical care.
2. Speak With the Doctor
Your consultation may take place by phone or video, depending on the service and your circumstances.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms, medical history and other relevant information.
3. Receive Medical Advice
After assessing your situation, the doctor can discuss the appropriate next steps with you.
Where clinically appropriate, this may include treatment advice, a prescription, medical certificate or referral.
4. Follow the Recommended Treatment
Your doctor may recommend monitoring your symptoms, taking prescribed medication, arranging further testing or seeing a local doctor for an in-person assessment.
If your condition requires face-to-face care, the doctor can advise you accordingly.
What Can an Online Doctor Help With?
An online doctor can assess many common health concerns through telehealth.
However, telehealth has limitations because the doctor cannot perform every type of physical examination or investigation remotely.
Some common reasons people book an online doctor appointment include:
Medical Certificates
If you're unwell and need documentation for work or study, you can discuss your circumstances with a doctor during an online consultation.
If medically appropriate, the doctor may issue a medical certificate.
Repeat Prescriptions
If you need an ongoing medication reviewed, an online consultation may be suitable in some circumstances.
The doctor will determine whether a prescription is appropriate based on your individual medical situation.
Specialist Referrals
If you need to see a specialist, an online GP consultation may allow the doctor to assess your concerns and provide a referral when clinically appropriate.
Pathology Referrals
Some patients may need blood tests or other pathology investigations. Depending on the consultation, an online doctor may provide a pathology referral where appropriate.
Common Illnesses
Online consultations can be useful for discussing symptoms associated with conditions such as colds, influenza, some infections and other common health concerns.
How to Book an Online Doctor Appointment
Booking an online doctor appointment in Australia can be completed in a few simple steps.
Step 1: Choose an Online GP Service
Select a telehealth provider that offers consultations with appropriately registered medical practitioners.
Step 2: Select an Appointment
Choose an available consultation time that suits you.
Step 3: Provide Your Details
Complete the required patient information and provide details about your health concern.
Step 4: Attend Your Consultation
At the scheduled time, speak with the doctor by phone or video.
Try to be somewhere private and quiet so you can discuss your health comfortably.
Step 5: Follow the Doctor's Advice
Your doctor will explain the recommended next steps and whether you need medication, a certificate, referral, testing or an in-person appointment.
Online Doctor vs Traditional GP Appointment
An online doctor appointment and a traditional GP visit both have an important role in healthcare.
The main difference is how the consultation takes place.
Online GP AppointmentTraditional GP AppointmentConsultation by phone or videoConsultation at a medical clinicNo travel requiredTravel to the clinicCan be convenient from homeRequires an in-person visitSuitable for many routine concernsAllows physical examinationConvenient for people with limited timeUseful when hands-on assessment is required
Neither option is suitable for every situation.
The appropriate type of care depends on your symptoms, medical history and the doctor's clinical assessment.
When Should You See a Doctor in Person?
Telehealth is not a replacement for all face-to-face medical care.
An online doctor may recommend an in-person appointment if your condition requires:
- A physical examination
- Diagnostic testing
- Imaging
- Procedures
- Urgent assessment
- Monitoring that cannot be performed remotely
If you experience a medical emergency, don't wait for an online appointment.
For symptoms such as severe difficulty breathing, chest pain, serious injury, loss of consciousness or other potentially life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.
In Australia, call 000 in an emergency.
Why Choose NewTeleDoc Medical?
NewTeleDoc Medical provides online GP consultations designed to make accessing healthcare more convenient.
You can speak with a doctor remotely without needing to travel to a traditional medical centre.
Depending on your medical needs and the doctor's assessment, online consultations may assist with services including:
- Online GP consultations
- Medical certificates
- Repeat prescriptions
- Specialist referrals
- Pathology referrals
- Imaging referrals
- General medical advice
The focus is on providing a straightforward telehealth experience while maintaining appropriate clinical care.
If your doctor determines that you need face-to-face medical attention, you will be advised to seek appropriate in-person care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book a doctor online in Australia?
Yes. Telehealth services allow patients to book consultations with doctors online. The consultation may take place by phone or video depending on the provider and the patient's circumstances.
How quickly can I see an online doctor?
Appointment availability depends on the provider and the time you book. Online appointments can be convenient because you don't necessarily need to travel to a medical centre or wait in a physical waiting room.
Can an online doctor prescribe medication?
A doctor may prescribe medication when it is clinically appropriate and legally permitted. The doctor will assess your medical history, symptoms and circumstances before deciding whether a prescription is suitable.
Can I get a medical certificate online?
A medical certificate may be provided following an appropriate medical consultation when the doctor considers it clinically appropriate.
Can I get a referral from an online GP?
Depending on your medical needs, an online GP may provide a referral to a specialist, pathology service or imaging provider when clinically appropriate.
Is an online GP appointment suitable for everyone?
No. Some medical conditions require a physical examination, testing or urgent assessment. If telehealth is not appropriate, the doctor may recommend that you attend a local GP, urgent care centre or hospital.
Do I need a video consultation?
This depends on the telehealth service and the nature of your medical concern. Some consultations may be conducted by phone, while others may use video.
Book Your Online Doctor Appointment
Don't spend unnecessary time travelling to a medical centre when telehealth may be suitable for your needs.
Book an online doctor appointment with NewTeleDoc Medical and speak with a doctor from the comfort of your own home.