The Rise of Direct-to-Consumer Telemedicine Services in Australia: Implications for Primary Care and Future Research
September 2023
in “
The Medical Journal of Australia
”
TLDR Telemedicine in Australia is growing, but concerns about quality and integration with traditional care remain.
The document examines the rapid growth of direct-to-consumer (DTC) telemedicine services in Australia, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its implications for primary care. It highlights the increased investment in telehealth, with the market projected to reach $500 billion by 2030, and the integration of telemedicine into primary care, offering services like medicinal cannabis and hair loss solutions. While DTC telemedicine improves healthcare access, especially in rural areas, concerns about quality, safety, and care fragmentation remain. The paper emphasizes the need for localized research to address these issues and inform policy, given the unique structure of Australia's healthcare system.
