South East Dermatology Telehealth Platform
Patient and community safety is our priority. During the COVID-19 pandemic we want to ensure that we continue to offer our specialist Dermatology service. To minimise the risk of community transmission, some of our dermatologists are offering Telehealth consultations.
This service has been running since March 2020 and its continuing availability is subject to status of the pandemic. Medicare has made available telehealth item numbers for this purpose extending to 31 December 2021.
The consultations are available to both new and our existing patients.
To request a Telehealth appointment, please send an email to telehealth@sebderm.com.au or phone our reception staff on 3843 0577.
You will be requested to submit the completed Telehealth Patient Questionnaire along with photographs and any other relevant information (eg. pathology reports, etc) onto a secure temporary virtual folder that you will be provided with. All of this information will help the dermatologist determine if we are able to offer a telehealth consultation or whether a face-to-face consultation is required. A quote on the consultation fees will also be provided. We aim to provide a response to this information within 2-3 working days.
South East Dermatology is not a bulk-billing practice and there will be out of pocket fees which will vary depending on what is required . A quote will be provided after your Telehealth Patient Questionnaire has been reviewed by one of our doctors.
ELIGIBLE PATIENTS
Queensland and Northern New South Wales who possess a Medicare card. This enables us to provide scripts and request investigations as appropriate. Also, you may be required to attend clinic for a consult or procedure (if you are from NSW, you will need to keep up to date with the current travel restrictions across the border)
Frequently asked questions
Conditions that you may already have a diagnosis for or you have previously seen a dermatologist for. These include psoriasis, eczema and dermatitis, acne.
Unfortunately, no. A face-to-face examination is required and may involve the use of equipment such as a dermatoscope. Biopsies may also need to be performed during the visit. If you have a lesion/mole that you are worried about, please contact our clinic
Yes. During the consultation if the Dermatologist needs to examine any areas in person then they will organise for you to attend clinic
To limit time spent in the clinic we can also do a combination of Telehealth and in-clinic consultation.
If you require a biopsy then you will need to attend clinic
No, but if you have a valid referral prior to your consultation, you will be eligible for the maximum Medicare rebate that has been made available for telehealth consultations during the coronavirus outbreak.
Our clinic will send you a checklist prior to your appointment to ensure that you are prepared. Clinical photos (eg photos of your rash or acne) will need to be sent in advance, you will need to have access to the internet, and leading up to the time of the consultation, you will receive details on how to “dial in” to your consultation (Zoom, Skype, Facetime and GPconsults are different platforms that may be used)
We are continually assessing the availability of our Telehealth service. Factors include the status of the COVID-19 pandemic and whether we feel that we are able to sustain and match the quality of care we are able to provide with our usual face-to-face consultations. We also very much value feedback from our patients on this journey.