Telemedicine Guidelines (2020) Notice

Registered practitioner oversight

Remote consultation and prescribing decisions are undertaken by appropriately registered medical practitioners. Practitioner identity and registration details are presented in relevant clinical records and prescriptions.

Identity and consent

Patients must provide sufficient and accurate identity information. Consent may be implied when a patient initiates a consultation, or expressly recorded where the practitioner, platform, or nature of the interaction requires it.

Suitability of remote consultation

The practitioner determines whether telemedicine is appropriate based on the available history, records, symptoms, and clinical context. An in-person examination, additional testing, referral, or emergency evaluation may be required before advice or prescription is provided.

Prescribing and clinical records

• Prescriptions are issued only when the practitioner has adequate clinical information and considers treatment appropriate.
• Consultation notes, patient information, consent, advice, and prescriptions are documented and retained in line with professional requirements.
• Medicines are not supplied or administered without the required registered medical clearance.

Privacy and communications

Clinical communications are handled through controlled channels and shared with assigned care personnel only where necessary. Patients should use a private setting, protect verification codes, and avoid recording or distributing a consultation without appropriate consent.

Emergency limitations

Telemedicine is not a substitute for emergency response or hands-on assessment when urgent intervention is needed. Remote support may provide immediate first-step guidance, but patients should contact 112, CATS 102 where applicable, or attend the nearest emergency department for urgent symptoms.

Questions and concerns

Questions about a consultation, prescription, practitioner identity, consent record, or remote-care process may be raised through the DermaVoir concierge channel. Clinical complaints are escalated for review under the applicable professional and operational process.