Consumer considerations

Virtual care is a safe, effective and valuable way to support consumer and family-centred care, where clinically appropriate.

A consumer may require multiple episodes of care throughout their healthcare journey. These can be provided through a combination of in-person and virtual care modalities, depending on the clinical need. This is referred to as a blended or hybrid mode of care. Even when the consumer is attending in person, the use of technology can support carers or other social or healthcare providers to be involved in the consultation.

Regardless of the modality, clinicians need to adapt their practice to meet the needs of consumers.

Refer to the simple consumer journey, below. It includes some ways it could be possible to deliver care at each step.

  • Initial consultation
    • In person
    • Videoconference
    • Telephone
  • Gather information
    (scans, blood tests etc)
    • In person
    • Remote monitoring
    • Store and forward
  • Multidisciplinary case conference
    • In person
    • Videoconference
  • Treatment
    • In person
    • Videoconference
    • Telephone
    • Apps
  • Follow up
    • In person
    • Videoconference
    • Telephone
    • Store and forward
    • Remote monitoring
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