Telehealth GP Consultations for Asthma Management
Connect with an Australian-registered GP online for routine asthma care, e-Prescriptions for preventer and reliever inhalers, Asthma Action Plan updates, and medical certificates.
🫁 Maintaining Routine Asthma Control
Regular GP reviews help ensure optimal symptom control and minimize flare-up risks. If clinically appropriate, our GPs can renew your regular preventer or reliever medication via an eScript sent directly to your mobile phone.
Asthma Care Triage: Telehealth vs. Urgent Care
Review the guidelines below to ensure you select the appropriate medical care route for your current symptoms.
| Clinical Need | Symptom Severity / Request | Recommended Care Route |
|---|---|---|
| Medication Refills | Running low on regular preventer or reliever inhalers with mild, stable symptoms. | Suitable for Telehealth GP |
| Asthma Action Plan | Need an updated plan for school, childcare, sports, or workplace compliance. | Suitable for Telehealth GP |
| Mild Flare-Up Review | Slight increase in cough or wheeze, responsive to standard reliever medication. | Telehealth Consult / Local GP |
| Severe Asthma Attack | Inability to complete sentences, severe chest pulling, reliever not lasting 3 hours. | Call 000 Emergency / Hospital |
Frequently Asked Questions & Patient Guidance
Can I get an eScript for my asthma inhaler online?
Yes. If you have a previously diagnosed asthma condition and require a repeat or review of your regular preventer (e.g., Flixotide, Symbicort, Seretide) or reliever (e.g., Ventolin, Asmol), an Australian-registered GP can issue an eScript directly to your phone via SMS following a clinical evaluation.
Can a telehealth GP complete an Asthma Action Plan?
Yes. A GP can assess your current trigger factors, inhaler usage, and symptom frequency during a consult to complete or update an official Asthma Action Plan, which can be emailed to you as a PDF.
What if I need diagnostic testing like spirometry?
If your GP determines that formal lung function testing (spirometry) or additional pathology is required for a new or unconfirmed diagnosis, they can issue a pathology or diagnostic referral form during your online consult.
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a long-term condition affecting the airways.
In people with asthma, the airways can become inflamed and more sensitive. They may narrow in response to triggers, making it harder for air to move in and out of the lungs.
Asthma symptoms can include:
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Difficulty breathing
- Symptoms that are worse at night or early in the morning
- Symptoms triggered by exercise, cold air, allergies or respiratory infections
Some people experience asthma symptoms only occasionally, while others have symptoms more frequently.
What Causes Asthma Symptoms?
Asthma symptoms can be triggered by different factors, and triggers vary between individuals.
Common asthma triggers can include:
- Colds and other respiratory infections
- Hay fever and allergies
- Dust mites
- Pollen
- Animal dander
- Cigarette smoke
- Air pollution
- Cold air
- Exercise
- Strong smells or chemical fumes
- Workplace exposures
- Stress or emotional factors
Identifying your individual triggers can help reduce the frequency of asthma symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Asthma?
Common symptoms include:
Wheezing
A high-pitched whistling sound when breathing, particularly when breathing out, can occur when the airways become narrowed.
Cough
Asthma can cause a persistent or recurring cough. For some people, coughing may be the main symptom.
A cough may be worse at night, early in the morning or after exercise.
Shortness of Breath
You may feel as though you cannot get enough air or become unusually breathless during normal activities or exercise.
Chest Tightness
Some people describe asthma as a feeling of pressure, tightness or heaviness in the chest.
Symptoms may occur individually or together.
Can a Telehealth GP Diagnose Asthma?
A telehealth GP can discuss symptoms that may suggest asthma and assess your medical history.
Your GP may ask about:
- Your current symptoms
- When symptoms started
- How often symptoms occur
- Whether symptoms occur at night
- Exercise-related symptoms
- Allergies and hay fever
- Previous asthma attacks
- Previous hospital admissions
- Current inhalers and medications
- How often you use your reliever inhaler
- Smoking or vaping
- Workplace or environmental exposures
- Family history of asthma or allergies
However, diagnosing asthma sometimes requires an examination or breathing tests.
Your GP may recommend spirometry or other lung-function testing to help confirm the diagnosis.
If an in-person assessment is necessary, your NewTeleDoc Medical GP can advise you on the appropriate next step.
Can Asthma Be Treated Through Telehealth?
In many situations, yes.
Telehealth can be useful for people with an established asthma diagnosis who need a medication review, repeat prescription or discussion about ongoing symptoms.
During a consultation, your GP may:
- Review your asthma symptoms
- Review your current inhalers
- Discuss how frequently you use your reliever
- Review possible triggers
- Discuss your asthma action plan
- Assess whether your current treatment is controlling your symptoms
- Prescribe asthma medication when clinically appropriate
- Recommend lung-function testing
- Arrange an in-person assessment when necessary
- Refer you for further medical assessment when appropriate
Your GP will determine whether your asthma can safely be managed through telehealth.
Asthma Reliever and Preventer Medicines
Asthma treatment commonly involves medicines that help control airway inflammation and medicines that provide relief from symptoms.
Reliever Medicines
Reliever medicines are used to provide quick relief when asthma symptoms occur.
Your GP will advise which reliever treatment is appropriate for you and how it should be used.
Needing a reliever frequently can be a sign that your asthma is not adequately controlled and should prompt a medical review.
Preventer Medicines
Preventer medicines are designed to reduce inflammation in the airways and lower the risk of asthma symptoms and attacks.
Depending on your individual circumstances, preventer treatment may involve inhaled corticosteroids or other asthma medicines.
Your GP can review your symptoms and determine whether your current preventer treatment is appropriate.
Why Is Inhaler Technique Important?
Using an inhaler incorrectly can mean that less medicine reaches your lungs.
During an asthma review, your GP may ask how you use your inhaler and discuss ways to improve your technique.
Some inhalers may be easier to use with a spacer device, particularly for certain people.
If you are unsure whether you are using your inhaler correctly, ask your GP or pharmacist to demonstrate the correct technique.
What Is an Asthma Action Plan?
An asthma action plan provides clear instructions about how to manage your asthma.
It can include:
- Your usual asthma treatment
- How to recognise worsening symptoms
- What to do when symptoms increase
- When to increase or change treatment according to your doctor's instructions
- When to seek urgent medical help
Having an up-to-date asthma action plan can help you and your family recognise when your asthma is becoming worse.
Your NewTeleDoc Medical GP can discuss whether you need an asthma action plan or an updated plan.
What Can Trigger an Asthma Attack?
An asthma flare-up or attack can occur when the airways become significantly narrowed and inflamed.
Potential triggers include:
- Viral infections
- Allergens
- Smoke
- Air pollution
- Cold air
- Exercise
- Workplace chemicals or dust
- Poorly controlled asthma
- Stopping or incorrectly using preventer medication
Knowing your triggers can help you reduce exposure where possible.
When Should I See a GP About Asthma?
You should arrange a GP review if:
- Your asthma symptoms are becoming more frequent
- You are waking at night because of asthma
- You are becoming breathless during normal activities
- You are using your reliever more frequently than usual
- Your inhaler does not seem to be working as well as before
- You have repeated asthma flare-ups
- You have recently attended an emergency department because of asthma
- You have run out of your asthma medication
- You are unsure whether your asthma is well controlled
- You think you may have asthma but have not been formally diagnosed
A telehealth consultation can be a convenient first step when your symptoms are stable enough for remote assessment.
When Is Asthma an Emergency?
A severe asthma attack can become life-threatening.
Do not wait for a telehealth appointment if you are having severe difficulty breathing.
Seek emergency medical attention if:
- You are struggling to breathe
- You cannot speak normally because of breathlessness
- Your reliever is not providing adequate relief
- Your symptoms are rapidly worsening
- You are becoming exhausted
- Your lips or face appear blue or grey
- You are confused, drowsy or difficult to wake
- You feel that you are experiencing a severe asthma attack
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
Asthma and Exercise
People with asthma can often exercise safely when their condition is appropriately managed.
Exercise can sometimes trigger asthma symptoms, particularly when asthma is poorly controlled.
Your GP can discuss:
- Exercise-related symptoms
- Your current asthma treatment
- Ways to manage exercise triggers
- Whether your asthma needs better control
- Your individual asthma action plan
Do not stop exercising permanently because of asthma without discussing your symptoms with a healthcare professional.
Asthma, Hay Fever and Allergies
Asthma and allergic conditions commonly occur together.
Hay fever and other allergies can trigger or worsen asthma symptoms.
If you experience both asthma and allergy symptoms, managing the underlying allergic condition may help improve your overall respiratory health.
Your GP can discuss appropriate treatment and whether further allergy assessment may be useful.
Asthma and Respiratory Infections
Colds, influenza, COVID-19 and other respiratory infections can trigger asthma symptoms.
If you have asthma and develop a respiratory infection, monitor your breathing carefully and follow your asthma action plan.
Seek medical advice if your symptoms are worsening or your usual asthma medication is not controlling your symptoms.
People with asthma who develop significant breathing difficulties should seek urgent medical attention.
How to Prepare for a Telehealth Asthma Consultation
Before your NewTeleDoc Medical appointment, it can help to have the following information available:
- The names of your current inhalers.
- How often you use your reliever.
- How regularly you use your preventer.
- When your symptoms started.
- Your common asthma triggers.
- Whether symptoms wake you during the night.
- Any recent asthma attacks.
- Any recent emergency department visits.
- Any medication allergies.
- Your current medical conditions and medications.
If you have an asthma action plan, keep it available during your consultation.
How NewTeleDoc Medical Can Help With Asthma
NewTeleDoc Medical provides convenient telehealth GP consultations for many asthma-related concerns.
During your consultation, your GP can:
- Review your asthma symptoms
- Assess your asthma control
- Review your current medications
- Discuss inhaler use
- Identify possible triggers
- Discuss preventer and reliever treatment
- Prescribe medication when clinically appropriate
- Develop or review an asthma action plan
- Recommend breathing tests or other investigations when required
- Arrange an in-person assessment when necessary
- Refer you for further medical care when appropriate
- Provide a medical certificate when clinically appropriate
If your symptoms require an examination or urgent treatment, your GP will advise you to seek appropriate face-to-face care.
Book a Telehealth GP Appointment for Asthma
If you have asthma symptoms, need an asthma medication review or are concerned that your asthma is not well controlled, NewTeleDoc Medical can provide a convenient telehealth GP consultation from the comfort of your home.
Your GP can review your symptoms, discuss your treatment and determine whether you need further investigation or in-person medical care.
Book a NewTeleDoc Medical telehealth appointment today and speak with a GP from home.
Important Medical Information
This article provides general health information and does not replace individual medical advice.
Asthma treatment is individualised and depends on your symptoms, medical history, current medications and clinical assessment.
Telehealth is not appropriate for a severe asthma attack. If you are struggling to breathe, becoming confused or drowsy, unable to speak normally because of breathlessness, or your symptoms are rapidly worsening, call 000 immediately.