Video-Telehealth in Residential Aged Care

Video-telehealth in RACH settings can reduce burdens on frail older adults and carers, remove GP travel time, and enable faster clinical responses. The article states that comprehensive Australian research is lacking on GP-led video-telehealth safety, quality, and cost savings in residential aged care settings. International evidence indicates that routine video-telehealth added to usual care reduces avoidable hospitalisations. Video-telehealth became a permanent part of Australian general practice in December 2021 after its pandemic-era introduction. Training gaps, poor internet connectivity, and poorly coordinated calls continue to limit video-telehealth uptake. Between 20% and 30% of Australian GP visits are now virtual.