How Telehealth Is Improving Men's Health Care in Australia

Telehealth lets you consult a registered Australian doctor by video or phone instead of travelling to a clinic. For men, that shift matters. Australian men see doctors less often than women, and the concerns they most often put off raising are the ones a private consultation from home makes easier to deal with. This guide explains how telehealth works in Australia, what it costs, which health concerns it suits and when you still need to be seen in person.

Why men needed a better way to see a doctor

The gap in how men use health services is well documented. About 79 per cent of Australian males visited a GP in the previous 12 months, compared with 88 per cent of females Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023. For mental health the difference is wider: in 2021-22, 12 per cent of males sought support compared with 21 per cent of females Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023.

Telehealth uptake follows the same pattern. Healthy Male, the national men's health organisation, notes that Medicare-subsidised telehealth consultations for males have run at less than half the rate recorded for females Healthy Male. The channel with a lot to offer men is still the one they use least.

The reasons are practical as much as cultural. Standard clinic hours clash with standard work hours, and men in regional areas can face long drives to the nearest GP. Some concerns simply feel too awkward to raise across a reception desk.

Telehealth removes the practical barriers first. That alone gets more men in front of a doctor.

How a telehealth consultation works

The process is simpler than most men expect.

1. Book online, usually after a short questionnaire about your health, symptoms and current medications.
2. A registered doctor calls you by phone or video at the booked time, confirms your identity and takes your history.
3. You talk through your concern the same way you would in a clinic room, and the doctor asks follow-up questions.
4. The doctor recommends a plan. That might be a prescription, a referral, pathology testing or advice that your situation needs an in-person examination.

Healthdirect, the government-funded health advice service, describes the same structure in public virtual care clinics: the clinician confirms who you are, explains how the consultation will run, covers costs and privacy, and checks that virtual care is still suitable for you Healthdirect.

That last check matters. A good telehealth doctor screens people out as well as in, and if your concern needs hands-on examination you should hear that early.

Which men's health concerns suit telehealth

Telehealth handles sensitive and everyday concerns well, including:

• sexual health, including erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation
• possible hormonal imbalance, assessed with a doctor and blood tests
• medically supervised weight management
• energy, sleep and general health questions
• repeat prescriptions and referrals

None of this skips the medical process. At Menova Health, every treatment decision starts with a consultation, and an Australian-registered doctor assesses whether treatment is clinically appropriate for you. Not every man is suited to every treatment, and the doctor may order tests or recommend an in-person review before prescribing anything.

Chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease sit differently. Telehealth can support parts of their management, such as discussing results or renewing a script, but ongoing care belongs with a regular GP who knows your history. Keep your GP informed about anything you start online.

Prescriptions, referrals and tests

Where clinically appropriate, a telehealth doctor can issue an electronic prescription. The eScript arrives as a token by SMS or email, and any pharmacy can dispense it. Doctors can also refer you for pathology or imaging, so a blood test ordered online is collected at a local centre like any other.

Two caveats. Prescribing decisions rest with the doctor, and some requests will be declined or redirected to in-person care. If a website promises medication regardless of your circumstances, treat that as a warning sign.

What it costs and where Medicare fits

Medicare rebates apply to some telehealth consultations, with conditions. For most GP telehealth items you need to have had a face-to-face consultation with the practitioner in the previous 12 months, with some exemptions Department of Health and Aged Care, 2022.

Many dedicated online men's health clinics, including Menova Health, charge private fees rather than billing Medicare. The fee is set by the clinic and quoted before you book. Ask what the fee covers, whether follow-up costs extra, and what happens if the doctor decides treatment is not appropriate.

Privacy and the stigma barrier

Healthy Male puts it plainly: men are not always good at seeking help and can feel let down by health services Healthy Male. That reluctance is strongest around sensitive concerns, which is exactly where a private consultation helps.

With telehealth you speak to the doctor from wherever you choose, and nobody sees you in a waiting room. Consultations carry the same confidentiality obligations as any Australian medical consultation. The concerns men raise online are ones doctors deal with every day, and raising them is the useful first step.

Mental health support through telehealth

Telehealth has become a significant channel for mental health care in Australia. Healthy Male reports that during the pandemic around half of all subsidised mental health services were delivered by telehealth, and that research supports it as an effective way to deliver care for many common conditions Healthy Male.

Menova Health does not treat mental health conditions. If stress or low mood is part of the picture, your GP or a psychologist is the right starting point, and either can help you work out what support fits.

If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. In an emergency, call 000.

When telehealth is not the right option

Telehealth suits discussion, assessment and follow-up. It does not suit emergencies or anything that needs a physical examination. Healthdirect advises that symptoms such as chest pain, trouble breathing or sudden weakness on one side of the body need triple zero (000) rather than any consultation Healthdirect.

Book an in-person appointment when:

• a doctor needs to examine you physically
• symptoms are new, severe or getting worse quickly
• a lump, mole or injury needs direct inspection
• your telehealth doctor recommends it

A telehealth service that never refers anyone to in-person care is not doing its job.

Getting the most from an online consultation

• Find a quiet, private spot with reliable reception or internet.
• Have your Medicare card, photo ID and a list of current medications ready.
• Write your questions down beforehand, because consultations move quickly.
• Be as specific about your symptoms as you would be face-to-face.
• Ask how follow-up works and who to contact if something changes.

Where Menova Health fits

Menova Health is a doctor-led Australian telehealth clinic focused on men's health, covering erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, hormonal imbalance and medical weight management. Everything starts with an online assessment reviewed by a registered doctor, who determines whether treatment is clinically appropriate. Responses to treatment vary between individuals, and a consultation is always the first step.

For a closer look at how online care compares with visiting a clinic, read our guide to telehealth versus traditional clinic visits. For the sexual health side specifically, see why more men are choosing telehealth for sexual health and performance.

Frequently asked questions

Can a telehealth doctor prescribe medication in Australia?

Yes, where it is clinically appropriate. After assessing you, a registered doctor can issue an electronic prescription sent to your phone or email as a token, which any pharmacy can dispense. Prescribing decisions rest with the doctor, and no legitimate service promises a script before an assessment.

Is telehealth covered by Medicare?

Sometimes. Medicare rebates for GP telehealth generally require a face-to-face visit with the same practitioner in the previous 12 months, with some exemptions. Dedicated online men's health clinics usually charge private fees instead, quoted before you book, so check what the fee includes.

Is a telehealth consultation private?

Yes. Telehealth consultations carry the same confidentiality and privacy obligations as any Australian medical consultation, and records are handled under the same rules. Many men find it easier to raise sensitive topics from home than in a busy clinic waiting room.

What men's health issues can telehealth help with?

Commonly discussed concerns include erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, possible hormonal imbalance, weight management, energy and sleep, along with repeat scripts and referrals. A doctor assesses each case individually and refers you for in-person care where the concern needs physical examination or further testing.

Do I still need a regular GP if I use telehealth?

Yes. Telehealth works best alongside a regular GP. Your GP holds your long-term history, manages chronic conditions and coordinates routine screening. Keep your GP informed about any treatment you begin through an online service so your care stays joined up.

When should I see a doctor in person instead?

Whenever a physical examination is needed, symptoms are severe or worsening quickly, or your telehealth doctor recommends it. For chest pain, difficulty breathing or sudden one-sided weakness, call 000 straight away. A telehealth doctor will tell you when in-person care is the safer option.

References

• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023). The health of Australia's males and females. https://www.aihw.gov.au/news-media/news/2023/june-2023/the-health-of-australia-s-males-and-females
• Healthy Male. Mental health care from home. https://healthymale.org.au/health-article/telehealth-mental-health
• Healthdirect. Virtual care clinics. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/virtual-care-clinics
• Department of Health and Aged Care (2022). Continuing MBS telehealth services for GPs and other medical practitioners. https://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/81F4D6E6C09A3762CA25887200043384/$File/Factsheet-telehealth-GPs-OMP.08.07.22.PDF