Telehealth: Online Physiotherapy
You may be wondering how COVID-19 and social distancing will affect your physiotherapy treatment. At APS Physiotherapy in North Perth and Joondalup continue to offer quality care for our patients. There are many things we are doing as professionals to minimise risk of exposure through patient screening and thorough sanitisation procedures while we continue to offer in-clinic appointments.
However, if you are in self-isolation or would prefer to minimise contact in any way, you may like to consult with us via Telehealth. Telehealth allows us to provide online consultations via video on your phone, tablet or computer. Via Telehealth, your physio can give you advice about managing your symptoms, education on what your symptoms mean, and can give you exercises to do at home to help you get back on track.
People who can access Telehealth:
Those in self-isolation/practicing social distancing
Insured cases such as workers compensation cases and motor vehicle accidents: with no changes to payment
Medicare patients: those with 5 reimbursed medicare physiotherapy visits form their doctor
Private patients: Australian Health funds are currently not providing rebates for Telehealth. As of the 14th of April 2020, you can contact your private health fund requesting rebates for Telehealth if you have chronic condition such as arthritis, or you have been a patient at your clinic in the last 6 months. If you have not been a patient in the last 6 months, you may need a referral from your Doctor.
Why should I try Telehealth?
Physiotherapists are trained to diagnose and manage pain and injuries, and know when to send you to a doctor if required. We are able to help doctors and other medical staff cope with this pandemic by being of service to those in pain who don't need medical management. As well as taking the load of our medical staff, we can help limit exposure by limiting the amount of people in the doctor's office and emergency departments.
For those who have been to a physiotherapist before, they would know a big part of treatment involves, advice, education, reassurance and giving exercises to do at home. All of these things can be done via Telehealth.