The impact of telehealth on patient attendance and revenue within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation during COVID-19.
Journal
Australian journal of general practice
ISSN: 2208-7958
Titre abrégé: Aust J Gen Pract
Pays: Australia
ID NLM: 101718099
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Nov 2021
Nov 2021
Historique:
entrez:
29
10
2021
pubmed:
30
10
2021
medline:
25
11
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
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. 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). 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. 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.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE
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
METHODS
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
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
CONCLUSIONS
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.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34713288
doi: 10.31128/AJGP-07-21-6060
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM