The Oil Crisis, Medicare and Telehealth
In recent days I’ve been thinking about three overlapping issues, the oil/fuel supply crisis, Telehealth and Medicare.
In that for those dependent on petrol or diesel vehicles to get around for work (e.g. truck and other drivers) as well as others needing to get to and from work by car (or motorbike) there is a lot of fuel uncertainty at present. While no doubt there has been increased interest in purchasing of electric vehicles (for a longer-term fix for the current problems) in the meantime there is the uncertainty about how long this will go on for.
For clients of mine there can also be issues around whether they are prepared to “use” fuel to get to a psychologist appointment? There are public Transport alternatives, with the 209 and 210 buses, (for those coming to Huntingdale) stopping just around the corner in Warton Road. For my visits to Bentley Medical Centre where I go on the first and third Wednesday of the month, there are various buses that stop virtually out the front of the centre. Being at 1100 Albany Highway, Bentley, it is next door to Botts Chemist, that has been there since the 1950’s (it’s a bit of a landmark). Which is apart from any other buses that could be found via the Transperth Journey Planner website.
However there is another option, which I’ve been using a fair bit over recent years, which is Telehealth, which is subsidised by Medicare (with a GP referral). As per the information on my website, all you need is a smartphone with a camera and access to the internet. Or a computer (e.g. a laptop) with a camera microphone and speakers. (Standard features of most computers nowadays.) There is no need for any special software, I just send an electronic “invite” to an online session, (either by SMS or email) and you click on the internet link in the message, to go into my electronic “waiting room”.
Originally Telehealth was only subsidised by Medicare for those in areas (broadly speaking) outside the metropolitan area. Nowadays subsidised sessions are available to anyone with a GP referral. I do get some clients who are in various parts of the country, e.g. Southwest, Wheatfields, Northwest etcetera (obviously not really practical for an in-person consult). I also get clients who for any number or combination of reasons, use Telehealth, although being in the metropolitan area, it may involve more time travelling than being in the consultation. Or otherwise, it might not be practical.
Reasons could include, in addition to the more general reasons for using Telehealth (travel time etc.) like the idea of working with;
- A mature aged male psychologist;
- Someone who offers “after hours” appointments;
- Has interests and experiences in subjects they are particularly wanting assistance in;
- Want to discuss issues raised in one or more of my blogs.
- Some combination or variation of the above.
The expansion of Telehealth for all, is one good thing that came out of the COVID-19 difficulties. Along with a wider acceptance of “Working from home” on which there was a recent article I found on the ABC website “How to approach your employer about working from home and flexible work arrangements” that may also be of interest.
One final thing about my services, they can be booked either via my Business Support Office on 1300 50 67 68 (Monday to Friday 8m to 5pm) or 24/7 via the HealthEngine links on my webpage
