New research from Vitura Health-owned Doctors on Demand has highlighted the growing role of digital healthcare in Australia, with telehealth usage on the platform reaching record levels in the past year.
The findings – released by Vitura – followed last week’s survey commissioned by Montu, which also suggested strong public confidence in both medicinal cannabis and telehealth.
Doctors on Demand – a telehealth platform acquired by Vitura for $25 million in 2023 – surveyed 2,042 adults and recorded 377,000 online consultations in the past 12 months – its highest volume to date.
More than 80% of respondents from the survey expressed “trust in the advice received, data privacy, and the overall experience,” according to Vitura.
The research showed 46% of Australians had at least one GP telehealth appointment in the last year, with usage highest among 18–39-year-olds at 54%.
The most common motivations for choosing telehealth over in-person appointments included saving travel time, avoiding leaving the house while unwell, and reducing time spent in waiting rooms.
Doctors on Demand chief operating officer Nicola Swarbrick said the results highlighted telehealth’s growing role in Australia’s healthcare system.
“Convenience and flexibility of appointment times consistently emerged as the primary motivator for Australians to make the switch,” she said.
“The amount of time saved by patients avoiding traffic, car parking and clinic waiting room delays is a huge advantage of telehealth. Satisfaction with quality of care and cost options are also key factors.
“As Australians continually adapt to technology advancements and become increasingly familiar with video calls, telehealth will continue its rise as a critical part of the nation’s healthcare framework.”