Is Telehealth Right for You? Who It Suits and When In-Person Care Is Better

Telehealth suits many people, but not everyone and not every situation. It tends to work well if your concern is straightforward, you can talk privately and you’re comfortable explaining your symptoms by phone or video. It’s less suitable if you need to be examined, find remote conversations hard, or need the continuity of a GP who knows you well.

This guide is about you and your circumstances, rather than a list of conditions. Use it to decide whether telehealth is a good fit, or whether an in-person appointment would serve you better this time.

Telehealth often suits you if…

Your concern is clear and doesn’t need a hands-on check

Many common problems can be assessed by talking through your symptoms, sometimes with a look on video. Examples include a simple urinary tract infection, a cold or flu, a repeat of a regular medicine or a medical certificate. Our guide What telehealth can and can’t do covers which concerns usually suit telehealth.

Getting to a clinic is hard

Telehealth can make a real difference if you:

• live a long way from a GP, or local appointments are booked out (see telehealth for regional and remote Australians)
• have limited mobility, or are too unwell to travel comfortably
• don’t drive or have limited transport
• are caring for children or someone else and can’t easily leave home
• work long hours or shifts (see telehealth for busy workers and students)

You’d rather talk about something sensitive from home

Some people find it easier to raise sexual health, mental health or other personal topics from a familiar, private space. If that’s you, telehealth can lower the barrier to getting help. See our sexual health and mental health services.

You’re contagious

If you have a cold, flu, COVID-19 or gastro, a telehealth consultation avoids spreading it in a waiting room.

You’re comfortable with a phone or video call

You don’t need to be good with technology. If you can answer a phone call, you can have a telehealth consultation.

Telehealth may not suit you if…

You need to be examined

A doctor can’t listen to your chest, feel your tummy, look in your ears or check your blood pressure over the phone. If that’s likely to be needed, booking in person from the start can save you a second appointment.

Communicating remotely is difficult for you

Telehealth can be harder if you have hearing loss, speech difficulties, memory problems, or find it hard to describe symptoms. Video can help with lip-reading, and a family member, carer or interpreter can join the call. But if remote conversations leave you feeling unheard, an in-person visit is likely to be a better experience.

You can’t find a private space

If you share a home and can’t speak freely, you may not give the doctor the full picture. Consider a quiet room, your car or another private spot, or book in person.

Your health is complex or has several issues at once

If you have several long-term conditions, take many medicines or want to cover a lot in one visit, your regular GP is usually better placed to help. They know your history and can examine you. Telehealth can still be useful for a specific question in between; see using telehealth between GP visits.

You need a service a telehealth GP can’t provide

Vaccinations, skin checks, cervical screening collected by a clinician, wound care and other procedures all need to be done in person. Some telehealth services also have limits. At Teldoc, we don’t provide chronic disease management plans, workers’ compensation consultations, controlled (S8 and S4D) medicines or weight-loss medicines.

A quick self-check

Before booking, ask yourself:

1. Is this an emergency? If yes, call 000.
2. Will the doctor probably need to touch, listen to or measure something? If yes, book in person.
3. Can I describe my symptoms clearly, or show them on camera?
4. Do I have a quiet, private place to talk?
5. Do I need a GP who knows my history, or is this a specific, one-off question?

If you’re unsure, start with telehealth. A good telehealth doctor will tell you if you need to be seen in person, and you can still book with your regular GP. If you can’t tell how urgent something is, you can call healthdirect on 1800 022 222, 24 hours a day, to speak with a registered nurse.

Telehealth works best alongside a regular GP

Telehealth is a useful addition to your care, not a replacement for a GP who knows you. Many people use their usual GP for check-ups, long-term conditions and anything needing an examination, and telehealth when they need help quickly, can’t get to the clinic or have a straightforward question.

With your consent, we can send a summary of your telehealth consultation to your usual GP so your records stay complete.

How Teldoc can help

Teldoc’s AHPRA-registered GPs consult by phone or video, 7 days a week from 9 am to 7 pm (Sydney time), and most patients are seen within 15 minutes. General consultations are $55 on weekdays and $75 on weekends and public holidays, and some consultations are bulk billed for eligible patients. See our fees page for details. New to telehealth? Read what telehealth is and how a consultation works.

Frequently asked questions

Is telehealth as good as seeing a doctor in person?

For many straightforward concerns, telehealth is an appropriate way to get care. It isn’t suitable when you need a physical examination, a procedure or emergency care. The doctor will tell you if you need to be seen in person.

What if the telehealth doctor can’t help me?

If your concern needs an examination or a service telehealth can’t provide, the doctor will explain why and suggest where to go next, such as your regular GP, a clinic or an emergency department.

Can older people use telehealth?

Yes. A phone call is all that’s needed, and a family member or carer can help or join the call. If hearing, memory or communication makes remote consultations difficult, an in-person visit may be a better choice.

Can I use telehealth if I have a regular GP?

Yes. Many people use telehealth when their GP isn’t available or for a quick, specific concern. With your consent, a summary can be sent to your regular GP.

This article is general health information and isn’t a substitute for advice from your own doctor. If you’re worried about your health, speak to a GP. In an emergency, call 000.

Medically reviewed by Dr Vafa Derakshan (MBBS, FRACGP), September 2026