Time-poor Australians juggling caring for their children and elderly parents are among the most likely to access health services from home, a new report has found.
The study, commissioned by the National Broadband Network (NBN), found that 90 per cent of those 'sandwiched' between caring for the two generations delayed trips to the GP in a bid to save time and money and avoid days off work.
The Digital Health at Home report found convenience was king among half of respondents using services including GP video conferencing and in-home monitoring for the elderly.
About one-third of expectant mothers and new parents used 'telehealth' services to save time, while others harnessed the technologies to avoid trips to the GP and hospitals.
One in three regional respondents used telehealth, and one in five do so to access services unavailable near them.
People living in rural and regional areas can experience real barriers in accessing medical attention and health services, Australian E-Health Research Centre chief executive David Hansen said.
'However, as GPs and specialists start to offer digital services, people can receive quality care through uninterrupted video-conferencing and other broadband-enabled delivery methods no matter where they live,' Dr Hansen said.
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Quelle/Source: Sky News Australia, 20.03.2016
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