GP healthcare professionals and digital prescriptions have been game changers in the medical sector. Although these services have been around for a while, they only gained more traction recently, especially during the COVID-19 lockdown. The convenience and flexibility that these services offer can not be underestimated.
This blog will discuss everything you need to know about online GP and digital prescriptions in Australia.
Everything You Need To Know About GP and Digital Prescription
A GP, which stands for General Practitioner, is a healthcare professional that provides medical consultation and primary care services online. They do this via video calls, chats, and more. The GP assesses a patient’s illness based on what they have shared and provides a diagnosis and digital prescription.
On the other hand, digital prescriptions are electronic prescriptions that replace traditional paperwork prescriptions. They are generated and shared online via email or chat within the healthcare system.
Advantages Of Online GPS and Digital Prescriptions In Australia
Here are some of the notable advantages of GPs and digital prescriptions in Australia.
Geographical Barriers
These services have been a lifesaver for people who live in rural and remote areas and can not easily access healthcare centers. Patients can just make an appointment online to speak to a healthcare specialist.
This has led to improved healthcare delivery. Most patients do not have to risk long travels or postponed treatment, as everything can be done online. After getting a diagnosis, patients can go to the nearest pharmacies to pick up their medication, leading to a reduced population in hospitals.
Timely Care
Online GPs or instant scripts are helpful, especially during emergencies. A GP can easily be contacted to provide expert advice in case a patient is in critical condition. This helps to avoid cases of extreme health conditions that could lead to deaths that could have been avoided earlier.
Additionally, patients can get their medication faster if their doses are done. This system has led to improved healthcare delivery in Australia, as patients receive timely care whenever needed.
Improved Patient Engagement
Online GP services enhance patient engagement through continuous communication and support, thus improving patient-doctor relationships. Doctors can easily educate their patients about how to properly care for themselves, manage their health, and improve their lives through digital channels.
Additionally, some patients feel uncomfortable with physical encounters and might get anxious when it comes to sharing their problems with a doctor; hence, the online option is better. In the end, online medical services allow patients to easily reach out to their doctors if they need health-related services.
Cost-Effectiveness
Another advantage of online GP and digital prescriptions is their cost-effectiveness. This is because it reduces the risks associated with traveling to the hospital, paperwork, and other administrative costs.
All these favor people, especially low-income earners, who will find it hard to afford these hospital expenses. It has been proven that online GPs and digital prescriptions are a cheaper option than traditional hospital visits.
Accuracy and Safety
Digital prescriptions also eliminate the risks associated with human errors or manual transcriptions, enhancing safety and adherence. This is because online prescriptions are first verified and checked for accuracy before being sent to patients.
Some online medical platforms also send reminders to their patients to notify them of their next prescription fill-up, allowing for comprehensive medical attention. Additionally, this reduces the risk of wrong prescriptions, as all medication goes through thorough checks to ensure correct results for patients.
Environmental Impact
Working against climate change is one of our most pressing challenges in recent times, so our main target should be working against it. Digital prescriptions eliminate the need for paper wastage, as everything can be done online without necessarily wasting too much paper. This helps to promote efforts that enhance environmental sustainability in the long run.
Convenience for Patients
Digital prescriptions also offer patients convenience, eliminating the need to collect paper prescriptions from medical centers. After presenting their approved digital prescriptions, patients can get their medications from any nearby pharmacy.
Patients also get to schedule an appointment at any time without needing to move to the hospital, which is time-consuming and tiresome.
Patients’ Privacy and security
Online GPs ensure the highest level of privacy for their different patients and follow strict industry standards. Most of the information a patient shares with a GP is kept secretly between them to enhance their privacy and comfort. Patients can also get all their information sent directly to them without the need to go through the different administrative processes, as seen in the traditional hospital visits.
Conclusion
The GPs and digital prescriptions in Australia are evidence of the developments in the healthcare system. With such developments, patients do not have to spend a lot of time in the hospital, as everything can be done easily online.
From offering timely care, eliminating geographical barriers, and being cost-effective. This has been a game changer in the healthcare industry, fostering an opportunity for healthcare inclusion for all people regardless of social or economic barriers.
Also Read: HOPE Program: Guiding students to seek a career in healthcare
