The impact of telehealth on patient attendance and revenue within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation during COVID-19.
Aust J Gen Pract
; 50(11): 851-855, 2021 Nov.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34713288
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) provide culturally appropriate medical services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of telehealth on patient attendance and revenue within an ACCHO during COVID-19.METHOD:
This is a time-series study of general practitioner attendances at a regional Victorian ACCHO in two periods March-June 2019 (pre-COVID-19) and March-June 2020 (during COVID-19).RESULTS:
After adjusting for the number of available appointments, there was a 27% increased rate of attendances per appointment slot during the COVID-19 period when compared with the pre-COVID-19 period, and a 59% increase in Medicare Benefits Schedule items claimed during the COVID-19 period, compared with the pre-COVID-19 period.DISCUSSION:
The findings indicate that the provision of services via telehealth increased the number of people able to access the medical clinic, and that this had a positive financial impact for the organisation.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Telemedicine
/
COVID-19
/
Health Services, Indigenous
Limits:
Aged
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
Aust J Gen Pract
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article