Telehealth continues to benefit patients
Telehealth has become a major player in the public health system and the benefits to patients and consumers has been none more evident than in the case of Claire Murray.
Claire, who lives in Karratha is a mother of three and has type 1 diabetes. Claire has been a Telehealth patient for over five years since she was originally referred to King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEMH) for pre-conception care in the lead up to her first pregnancy.
As Karratha Hospital is unable to provide the obstetric or neonatal care that would be needed of a woman with type 1 diabetes Claire would need to be in Perth for the delivery of her baby.
Telehealth meant that Claire was able to stay at home in Karratha and her care was shared between Karratha Hospital and KEMH with Telehealth consults between appointments to assist with her diabetes control and to coordinate appointments. The shared care continued till Claire was 35 weeks pregnant when she then relocated to Perth until delivery.
Claire found the Telehealth service very beneficial for her circumstances that she continued using the service for all three of her children.
Claire said, “The Telehealth experience was amazing and the staff at both Karratha and King Eddies were amazing. It made thing so much easier without having the hassle and expense of travelling to Perth for appointments. I would recommend it to anyone.”
“What was great was the advances in technology as well, initially for my first baby I had to be at the Karratha Hospital to use the service, but for my next two pregnancies it was all done at home over the internet.”
As well as providing care for Claire, the District Medical Officers and diabetes educators in Karratha have upskilled using Telehealth to empower them to feel confident in improving care for Claire during her pregnancies. In addition all country doctors are offered the opportunity to spend a day in the type 1 multi disciplinary clinic at KEMH whenever they are in Perth.
Telehealth Awareness Week is 19-23 October providing an opportunity for recognition of the positive impact telehealth has had in what has been a challenging year. Now in its fourth year, the aim of TAW20 is to showcase the benefit of telehealth during COVID-19.