Does Dr Eddie Cheng offer Virtual or Telehealth Appointments?
Telehealth or virtual consultations will never replace a clinical consultation with Dr Eddie Cheng and our team, but we get it! Social distancing and Coronavirus restrictions make in person appointments a little difficult at the moment!!
But, we have you covered, we have been offering virtual appointments to our travelling patients for a long time so we are well versed at taking our appointments into to the virtual world!!
How can I book a virtual appointment?
- Firstly talk to our patient coordinators to see if your situation is suitable for a virtual consultation. You can direct message us via socials, send in a web chat enquiry or click on the 'request an appointment' button on our website and ask us about our virtual appointments and the procedure of interest.
- Be prepared to answer some medical history questions and email photos of your key concerns prior to your scheduled online appointment with Dr Cheng. We will discuss the most suitable platform options for you to experience your virtual appointment.
- Your patient coordinator will check in with you via video several days prior to your online appointment to ensure you are prepared for your virtual consultation with Dr Cheng. We currently use and recommend tools such as facetime, google hangouts and zoom meetings.
TELEHEALTH FAQS
What is a telehealth video consultation?
A telehealth video consultation is a consultation between you, as our patient and Dr Eddie Cheng. Your own personalised Patient Coordinator will also be present to assist and guide you through your telehealth and surgical journey with us. The benefit of a telehealth consultation is that it can also involve your GP and/or your nurse who may be located at different locations.
Advantages of Telehealth video consultations
Every patient’s situation is different but in general, the benefits of this service include:
- improved access to Dr Eddie Cheng
- reduced waiting time to see Dr Eddie Cheng
- reduced travel time and costs
- reduced need to take time off work or away from homeschooled children
Added convenience for you to be at any location whilst connecting with Dr Cheng
- The ability for your Partner/family attendance
How can I arrange a Telehealth consultation with Dr Eddie Cheng?
We would love to meet you via Telehealth. Depending on your requirements, you may fall into one of these two categories;
- For skin cancer and medical and/or plastic surgery concerns, have your GP forward through a referral letter to our team and Dr Cheng can confirm if a Telehealth consultation is suitable for you.
- For cosmetic plastic surgery consultations please talk to our team to discuss your ideal options for a Telehealth or virtual consultation.
Do I have to participate in a Telehealth consultation?
No not if your situation is medically necessary or urgent. In this instance, you will qualify for an in-person consultation which will enable Dr Cheng to determine the best surgical plan for you.
Where are Telehealth consultations provided?
You can participate in a Telehealth video consultation from your own home or wherever you are at the time of the consultation providing you have access to a smartphone, desktop or laptop with audio and internet access.
Who will arrange my Telehealth consultation?
Dr Cheng’s patient coordinators have been facilitating Telehealth appointments for some time now and can work with you to assist you with your Telehealth appointment.
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
Telehealth video consultations require a great deal of coordination however we do, understand that illness and life happens, and in this instance, we require 48hrs notice as outlined in our cancellation policy. We will then reschedule your consultation to a mutually suitable day or reimburse your prepaid consultation fee. Should you need to cancel, please let us know immediately.
How should I prepare for my Telehealth consultation?
You can help get the best from a Telehealth video consultation by following these simple steps:
- Skin cancer patients please forward through your referral, images of your skin lesion, biopsy and patient history form prior to your consultation where possible
- All medical aesthetic and cosmetic plastic surgery patients please prepare for your Telehealth consultation by reading the link here.
- Confirm the platform you would like us to connect on ie. zoom, google hangouts, facetime, etc
- Be sure to find a quiet, well lit location or room 15 mins prior to your appointment time
- You may have another person with you at the time of your appointment however please be mindful of distancing regulations
- Avoid wearing brightly patterned or reflective clothing as this may not show up well on camera
- Speak clearly so your voice can be picked up by the microphone
- If you have a question or need help during the telehealth video consultation, just ask.
What happens during the Telehealth video consultation appointment?
You and your patient coordinator will connect first via your preferred method either Zoom meetings, google hangouts or facetime. Dr Cheng will soon join the meeting to confirm your clinical history, available images and relevant scans or any biopsy results. Based on the information available, Dr Cheng will discuss preliminary treatment options, risks and provide you with a preliminary treatment summary. Keep in mind that any recommendations made during a telehealth consultation can and may change once you have been assessed and seen face to face.
Once we are connected, our Treatment Coordinator will introduce herself and reiterate the reason for your consultation. You will be asked some identifying questions such as your name, address, and date of birth to make sure the right patient and right health records are available. Dr Eddie Cheng will then join you and discuss your requirements as he would in a face-to-face consultation.
Who will be present?
You and your allocated Treatment Coordinator will initially discuss your medical history with you with Dr Eddie Cheng joining you soon thereafter. Occasionally other health professionals such as your GP, nurse or other specialists may be involved in your consultation however this will only occur with your express consent.
As with face-to-face appointments, your spouse, partner, family or friend may accompany you if you wish, once again being mindful of distance regulations.
What if I want to have a private discussion with my specialist?
You may ask your patient coordinator or anyone else present to step out of the Telehealth video consultation at any time should you wish to have a private discussion with Dr Cheng.
How private is a Telehealth video consultation?
The same privacy and confidentiality requirements that apply to face-to-face consultations apply to Telehealth video consultations. However, we cannot guarantee total protection against hacking or tapping into the video visits by outsiders. This risk is small, but it does exist.
What if I need to be examined?
Typically, our team will ask for images or videos of the area of concern to be emailed in prior to your Telehealth consultation. Dr Cheng may also ask your GP or other support clinicians to examine you on their behalf. You will be notified beforehand if a clinical examination is recommended as part of your Telehealth assessment. Should a clinical consultation be necessary, we would encourage you to have a gown or robe in your room that you can access. A patient coordinator is present at all times during appointments both face to face and during Telehealth consultations.
What if I have special needs?
If you have special needs such as requiring an interpreter, please let our patient coordinator know when scheduling your Telehealth consultation. Your Telehealth consultation with Dr Cheng will be confirmed once your requirements or needs have been met and scheduled by our team.
Will the Telehealth video consultation be recorded?
No. Our practice does not record Telehealth video consultations and we do not give patients permission to make their own recordings of a Telehealth video consultation.
What if I feel I can’t continue?
Most patients feel a little nervous at the beginning of their first Telehealth video consultation because it’s a new way of seeing a Doctor or Specialist. However, most patients soon feel very comfortable with this kind of consultation. It’s very unlikely you’ll feel unable to continue with a Telehealth video consultation. If this does happen, you can request to end the consultation however consultation fees may still apply.
How much will a Telehealth consultation cost with Dr Eddie Cheng?
Skin cancer patients
- Initial consultations $200
- Review appointments: bulk-billed providing you have a valid referral
Medical aesthetic and cosmetic plastic surgery patients
- Initial Telehealth video consultations with Dr Cheng $200, a medicare rebate may apply if the consultation is medical (see below)
- Additional consultations will be $95. A medicare rebate may apply if the consultation is medical.
- For skin cancer and medical plastic surgery patients, review appointments following your surgery may be bulk billed providing you have a valid referral, otherwise, our normal billing process will apply.
If there are likely to be any other fees associated with the Telehealth video consultation, you will be advised prior to your consultation.
Will I receive a medicare rebate for my consultations?
- Cosmetic plastic surgery patients are not eligible for a medicare rebate
- Medical Plastic Surgery patients including skin cancer patients may receive a medicare rebate for Telehealth video consultations providing they are living at least 15km from our practice location.
- Vulnerable patients may be eligible for bulk billing of their Telehealth consultation.
What does it mean to be a vulnerable patient?
A vulnerable patient is a person at risk of COVID-19, so a person who is:
- required to self-isolate or self-quarantine in accordance with guidance issued by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee in relation to COVID-19; or
- is at least 70 years old; or
- if the person identifies as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent—is at least 50 years old; or
- is pregnant; or
- is the parent of a child aged under 12 months; or is being treated for a chronic health condition; or
- is immune compromised; or
- meets the current national triage protocol criteria for suspected COVID-19 infection.
The services will be available until 30 September 2020. The continuing availability of these items will be reviewed prior to 30 September 2020.
How can I provide feedback?
We would love your feedback so we can continue to improve our video consultation services. We invite you to provide us with your feedback here.
What if I still have questions?
If you have any questions about whether a Telehealth video consultation may be suitable for you, we encourage you to talk to our friendly team and/or check with your GP.
If you have any questions about how Telehealth video consultations work, please phone us to discuss your requirements. Our Telehealth patient coordinators are here to make your experience as seamless as possible.
Where can I get more general information about Telehealth video consultation?
Overview for Patients
Questions and Answers for Patients
What if I am a Travelling patient?
Please refer to our dedicated page here.
