Why do we want Telehealth?

The University of Adelaide http://www.e-unicare.com.au has established a project to support the uptake of telehealth services in South Australia. The project is being led by Dr Victoria Wade, a general practitioner with extensive practical and research experience in telehealth. We know that video consultations are a new method of practice, and that doctors and other health care providers would like to know more about the usefulness of this method of health care delivery. The advantages, especially in the Medicare eligible rural and remote areas, are better patient care, time efficiency and lower travel costs. The current government incentive for Medical Practitioners to start video consulting is an incentive payment of $1,600 for the first MBS eligible video consultation, and a further $3,400 if 10 video consultations are completed before June 30th 2013. The Unicare telehealth project: • provides continuing professional development on telehealth for clinicians; • teaches medical, nursing and allied health students about telehealth; • operates a technical network for video consultations and student supervision; and • disseminates information on the research evidence for telehealth Please contact us if you want to know more about the evidence base for telehealth, are interested in connecting to our telehealth network, or would like a practice visit for telehealth education. See our website at www.e-unicare.com.au or call 1800 877468 for current information about telehealth.