COVID-19 data suggests rapid uptake of Telehealth but minimal use of Videoconferencing. Dr Christopher Pearce will present the data analysed from both POLAR (summarising 1000 GP practices in Victoria and NSW) and the billing analysis of COVID-19 MBS items. Quality improvement strategies are required to implement these significant changes to consultation practices and the integration of new approaches to patient management. This webinar will discuss possible approaches to continuous improvement of rural doctors’ work practices within their clinical environments.

Dr John Kelly will share a quality improvement story regarding the transition from phone to videoconferencing-based Telehealth in East Arnhem Land. The transition employed the use of digital tools to monitor patient satisfaction, diagnostic accuracy, requirements for transport of patients and observed technical difficulties experienced during individual consultations to assist work practice quality improvement.

Learning Outcomes

• Discuss the introduction of MBS items for COVID-19 Telehealth.
• Discuss interim data analysis and what this may mean for MBS Telehealth in the future.
• Demonstrate the use of digital tools and strategies for change.
• Provide guidance to quality improvement using clinical records systems.