The Australian Healthcare System Under Pressure: How Telehealth Can Bridge the Gap
Key Takeaways:
- Rising demand for healthcare services due to chronic illnesses and an aging population is overwhelming Australia's healthcare system.
- Telehealth provides critical access for rural and remote communities, reducing travel and wait times for healthcare consultations.
- Telehealth helps alleviate hospital overcrowding by managing non-urgent medical concerns and chronic conditions remotely.
- Mental health support and elderly care can be improved through virtual consultations, allowing more Australians to access care conveniently and promptly.
The Australian Healthcare System Under Pressure
Australia’s healthcare system is facing unprecedented strain. Overcrowded emergency departments, extended wait times, and difficulties accessing specialists are becoming the norm. For rural and remote communities, these challenges are even more severe. The pandemic has revealed that our health system is not equipped to meet rising demand, particularly as the population ages and rates of chronic illness continue to climb.
Telehealth offers a viable solution. By providing virtual care, Australians can access healthcare more easily, without contributing to hospital overcrowding. In this blog, we’ll examine the mounting pressures on the health system and how telehealth can help alleviate some of these issues.
A Healthcare System at Breaking Point
Australia’s health system is stretched thin. Chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory illnesses are becoming increasingly common, particularly as our population ages. By 2030, it’s estimated that over 8.9 million Australians will be living with at least one chronic condition . With limited resources and workforce shortages, many Australians face long waits for treatment and consultations, particularly in regional and remote areas.
How Telehealth Can Ease the Burden
Telehealth, which uses technology to deliver healthcare remotely, gained significant traction during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between March and November 2020, there were over 16.1 million telehealth consultations in Australia . This rapid adoption revealed telehealth’s potential to fill critical gaps and ease the burden on our overstretched healthcare system.
Here are the key ways telehealth can help:
1. Bridging the Gap for Rural and Remote Communities
Australians living in rural and remote areas have long faced challenges in accessing timely healthcare. For some, it means travelling hundreds of kilometers to see a GP or specialist. Telehealth provides a much-needed solution by allowing virtual consultations with doctors and specialists, removing the need for extensive travel. In some regions, telehealth has reduced waiting times from weeks to just a few days .
2. Reducing Pressure on Hospitals and Emergency Departments
Many emergency department visits in Australia are for non-urgent issues that could be handled through telehealth. Telehealth allows patients with mild symptoms or chronic conditions to receive care from home, which reduces hospital admissions and frees up resources for more critical cases. Managing chronic diseases like diabetes through telehealth can prevent complications, leading to fewer hospitalisations .
3. Improving Mental Health Access
Mental health disorders affect around one in five Australians each year , yet many Australians, particularly those in rural areas, have limited access to mental health services. Telehealth enables virtual therapy sessions, making mental health care more accessible. The federal government's Better Access Telehealth Initiative has expanded Medicare coverage for these services, allowing more Australians to get the support they need .
4. Supporting the Elderly
Australia’s aging population presents one of the greatest challenges to our healthcare system. Many elderly Australians struggle with mobility and may find it difficult to attend frequent doctor appointments. Telehealth offers a way for the elderly to manage their chronic conditions from home, providing follow-up consultations, medication reviews, and ongoing care remotely . This reduces hospital admissions and improves overall quality of life for older Australians.
The Future of Telehealth in Australia
While telehealth has shown its value, its future will depend on ongoing investment in digital infrastructure, particularly in remote areas where internet access can be unreliable. Moreover, the federal government will need to ensure telehealth remains affordable and accessible through Medicare post-pandemic.
References:
- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Chronic conditions in Australia. AIHW, 2021.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. Patient Experiences in Australia: Summary of Findings. ABS, 2020.
- Department of Health and Aged Care. Better Access Initiative: Telehealth and mental health services. Australian Government, 2023.
- Services Australia. Telehealth consultations in Australia during COVID-19. Services Australia, 2021.
- Deloitte Access Economics. Telehealth: Impacts and future outlook. Deloitte, 2022.
- Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Telehealth and the future of healthcare. RACGP, 2021.
