How virtual care supports patients and health professionals
Virtual care connects health professionals with patients and other clinicians, allowing them to provide high quality care without needing to meet in person.
If you're a patient, you can find more information on the Queensland Government website about using virtual care.
Types of virtual care
Virtual care includes:
- video appointments (telehealth)
- phone appointments
- remote patient monitoring
- requests for advice from other health professionals.
If you're a patient interested in using virtual care, you can find more information on the Queensland Government website.
How it benefits patients
Virtual care doesn’t always replace in-person visits, but it can support patients by:
- saving time and travel costs
- providing quicker access to health care
- allowing them to fit consultations and treatment around work, study, or family commitments
- providing access to care from rural and remote locations.
It also means family, friends and carers can sit in on virtual appointments from another location.
How patients are using virtual care in our public health system
We’re using virtual care in our hospital and health services to improve patient access to care in the following settings:
- emergency
- outpatient and specialist services
- inpatient care
- community care.
Virtual care can also be used by patients using private health services and providers.
How it supports health professionals and partners
Virtual care reduces isolation for health professionals and enables them to provide high quality care from any location.
It also:
- provides peer support
- offers professional development opportunities
- supports collaboration and specialist involvement to ensure continuity of patient care.
Queensland Health virtual care services and programs
Queensland Health offers hundreds of virtual services and programs — from outpatient review clinics and physiotherapy classes to TeleChemotherapy and specialist advice for burns and dermatology.
Virtual Emergency Care Service
Virtual emergency care is a safe way for patients to get urgent care from home without going to an emergency department. Patients with a non-threatening illness or injury can access emergency care and treatment by video call.
Learn more about our virtual emergency care service.
Virtual early medical termination of pregnancy service
The virtual termination service supports pregnant people who can’t access a medical termination through their local health service.
Learn more about the virtual early medical termination of pregnancy service.