Telehealth consultations now play an integral role in our Australian healthcare system. The popularity of telehealth consultations has been on the rise even before the 2020 global pandemic, and this trend has only continued to grow, with many people now choosing telehealth as their primary option for medical consultations. Between 13 March 2020 and 31 July 2022, over 118.2 million telehealth services were delivered to 18 million patients in Australia.
With so much else in our world shifting into a digital-first environment, it makes sense that telehealth consultations can offer a unique approach to managing health and well-being with more efficiency, reach and flexibility. These services can be particularly beneficial for women navigating the complex physiological changes associated with menopause.
Why is telehealth on the rise?
Telehealth has experienced exponential growth for over a decade, with an unprecedented surge in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. The necessity for social distancing within Australian regulations meant that the adoption of virtual consultations was accelerated for many healthcare professionals and patients alike.
This shift continues to be meaningful for menopausal women, whose menopause journey is often multifaceted. This life season can see the many health considerations of menopause coinciding with non-related health conditions that require ongoing management.
The administrative burden itself can be high for women navigating the healthcare maze during menopause – with telehealth, they’re able to access a wider range of specialists from the comfort of their own homes.
How virtual consults via telehealth can support menopausal women
Telehealth consultations can offer numerous advantages for menopausal women, the most obvious being their convenience. Travelling to and from hospitals, clinics or practices, taking time off work or out of personal obligations, and the differences in accessibility due to location constraints can all add strain to an individual’s menopause experience. Telehealth is able to eliminate many of these burdens, creating more accessibility and convenience within the Australian healthcare system.
This increased accessibility can be of particular importance to women living in remote or regional locations. Menopause symptoms may require management from a variety of specialists – for women who don’t live in a location where these services are easily accessible; telehealth enables them to access highly qualified healthcare professionals who they may otherwise have been unable to see.
Telehealth consultations can also offer a heightened degree of privacy to Australian patients. As discussing menopausal symptoms can be sensitive, having these discussions in a familiar home environment can encourage women to be more open in sharing their experiences and concerns. This can have a direct correlation to health outcomes, as healthcare practitioners have increased access to relevant health information.
For women who may have been unable to regularly engage with a healthcare practitioner in a face-to-face environment, regular telehealth consultations may be able to improve their menopause journey.
This ready access to healthcare encourages patients to be active participants in their own health experience, which can result in a better understanding of the changes menopause brings, early detection of health concerns, and ongoing management of menopause-related issues.
How you can prepare for a telehealth consultation
As with an in-person consultation, preparing for a telehealth consultation can help you to get the most out of your experience. An up-to-date list of any symptoms, concerns and questions can help you to give your healthcare practitioner the information they need to understand your menopause experience. It can also be wise to have your medical records ready and accessible in case they’re needed during your consultation.
When you’re speaking with your healthcare practitioner, practising open communication is critical. This can be more challenging for some women than others if they’re not used to speaking openly about their symptoms. By remembering that healthcare providers are trained professionals whose professional responsibility it is to assist you, you can support yourself to share openly about your symptoms, giving them the information they need to provide the best possible levels of care.
You may find it useful to take notes during your telehealth consultation, particularly if your medical provider is sharing numerous strategies to alleviate or reduce the impact of menopause symptoms. If your specialist prompts you to book another follow-up during your appointment, doing this as soon as possible can help to protect the continuity of your care, creating ongoing monitoring of your symptoms and reviewing opportunities for any treatments or interventions.
Potential challenges in telehealth consultations
While telehealth consultations can offer many advantages, they’re not without potential challenges.
Technical issues, such as unstable internet connections, can lead to connectivity issues or disruptions in communication. By setting yourself up in a location that has stable access to the internet (and having a backup device on-hand if possible), you can pre-empt this issue and set yourself up for the smoothest virtual consultation possible.
You may also experience uncertainty at the lack of physical examination within your consultation. If an in-person assessment is required, your provider will recommend that this takes place as a next step, ensuring you’re receiving the quality of care necessary to address your health concerns.
Conclusion
Virtual telehealth consultations are one in an array of tools that can play a key role in managing health concerns throughout menopause. Combining convenience, accessibility and privacy, women are able to access a wider range of specialists and healthcare experts through the connectivity telehealth offers.
Menopause is a complex journey, often requiring strategic support from a range of tools, resources, and practitioners. While telehealth is not without its challenges, its benefits significantly outweigh the downsides when it comes to offering Australian women ongoing care throughout their menopause experiences. By prioritising open communication, regular check-ups and careful monitoring of symptom experiences, you can make the most of the accessibility telehealth offers in reducing the impact of menopause symptoms on your daily well-being.
If you are seeking support for your menopause journey, including access to resources, treatments, and guidance from expert practitioners, reach out to the Australian Menopause Centre. We can help you explore the available pathways and provide the assistance you need.
About The Author - AMC Team
Our team consists of doctors, nurses, program assistants, naturopaths and nutritionists that join their wealth of knowledge to offer our patients and website visitors interesting and insightful articles to assist you understand the symptoms you are experiencing and how to relieve them.