Telehealth vs In-Person Doctor Visits: A Guide for Australian Men

Telehealth suits most men's health concerns that a doctor can assess by talking with you, including erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, low energy and weight concerns. An in-person visit is the better option when you need a physical examination or a procedure, or when symptoms are sudden or severe. Most men end up using both, and they work best together.

This guide compares the two honestly: what each does well, what telehealth cannot do, what the costs look like and how to decide for your situation.

What telehealth actually is

Telehealth means getting health services by phone, video or online messaging instead of visiting a health professional in person (Healthdirect Australia, Virtual care clinics). It stopped being a stopgap some time ago. Telehealth has been a permanent part of Medicare since 1 January 2022, with GPs, specialists, nurse practitioners and allied health providers all able to consult this way (Department of Health, 2022).

For men's health, the format solves two practical problems. You can discuss a sensitive symptom without sitting in a waiting room, and you can reach a doctor who deals with these conditions daily even if you live nowhere near one.

Why many men prefer online consultations

Australian men see doctors less than women do. Men claimed an average of 3.3 GP services per person through Medicare in 2021-22 compared with 4.1 for women, and 21% of males who needed and saw a GP waited longer for an appointment than they felt was acceptable (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2021-22 data).

Privacy explains a lot of the appeal. Conditions like erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are common and medically treatable, yet many men put off raising them face to face. Taking the conversation to a phone or video call from home removes the part most men dread.

The experience holds up under study. In an Australian survey of 596 telehealth users during 2020, 61.9% rated their telehealth appointment as good as or better than their usual in-person visits (Isautier et al., Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2020).

How an online men's health consultation works

The process is more structured than most men expect.

1. You complete an online health assessment covering your symptoms, medical history and current medications. This is a screening step that helps the doctor prepare. It is not a diagnosis.
2. A registered Australian doctor reviews your answers and consults with you by phone or video. They take a full history and may order blood tests through a pathology lab near you.
3. The doctor assesses whether treatment is appropriate for you. Not everyone is eligible. If telehealth is not the right setting for your situation, they will say so and point you towards in-person care.
4. If the doctor prescribes treatment, an electronic prescription is issued and medication can be delivered or collected from a pharmacy. Follow-up consultations track how you respond, and responses vary between individuals.

At Menova Health the first step is an online assessment, and every treatment decision is made by a registered doctor during a consultation. Doctors prescribe only where clinically appropriate. For a realistic timeline from assessment to delivery, see our guide to how long online ED treatment takes in Australia.

What it costs compared with a clinic visit

Costs vary more than most comparisons admit. Telehealth consultations with your regular general practice often attract a Medicare rebate. Dedicated online men's health services usually charge a private consultation fee instead, and a reputable service publishes it before you book.

The bigger savings tend to be indirect. There is no travel or parking, and no need to take half a day off work, which matters if the nearest suitable clinic is a long drive away. Weigh the published fee against those costs rather than assuming either option is automatically cheaper.

When an in-person visit is the better choice

Telehealth cannot examine you. Book a face-to-face appointment when:

• you have a lump, testicular pain or any symptom that needs hands-on examination
• you need a procedure, such as a skin check, vaccination or minor surgery
• symptoms are sudden, severe or getting worse
• your telehealth doctor recommends it after assessing you

In an emergency, call 000.

Keep your regular GP in the picture too. Telehealth works well for a specific concern, while your GP handles preventive checks, screening and long-term conditions. Tell your GP about any treatment you start online, or ask the telehealth doctor to send a summary letter.

Telehealth for men in rural and remote Australia

Distance is the sharpest barrier this format removes. A man in a small town may face hours of driving to reach a clinic he trusts with a sensitive concern, and small communities offer little anonymity at the local practice.

Virtual care services can arrange prescriptions and pathology tests close to where you live, and will help organise an in-person visit if your situation calls for one (Healthdirect Australia, Virtual care clinics). The same applies to hormone-related concerns, which usually start with blood tests collected locally before a hormone restoration consultation.

How to prepare for a telehealth appointment

Ten minutes of preparation makes the consultation more useful.

• Find a quiet, private spot where you will not be overheard
• Write down your symptoms and when they started
• List every medication and supplement you take
• Have your Medicare card and photo ID handy
• Charge your device and check your connection
• Note the questions you want answered

Health providers are also required to tell you what technology is used, who can access your information and whether the session is recorded, so ask if anything is unclear (Healthdirect Australia, Virtual care clinics).

Frequently asked questions

Is a telehealth consultation as good as seeing a doctor in person?

For consultations built on discussion, history and test results, it compares well. In a 2020 Australian survey, 61.9% of telehealth users rated their appointment as good as or better than in-person care. Anything requiring physical examination still needs a face-to-face visit, and a good telehealth doctor will tell you when that applies.

Can an online doctor prescribe medication in Australia?

Yes. A registered doctor can prescribe through a telehealth consultation where it is clinically appropriate for you. Electronic prescriptions arrive by text message or email and work at any pharmacy or delivery service. Not every consultation ends in a prescription; that decision rests with the doctor after assessing you.

Does Medicare cover telehealth appointments?

Telehealth has been a permanent part of Medicare since January 2022. Rebates generally apply to consultations with your usual general practice. Dedicated private telehealth services set their own fees, which may not attract a rebate, so check the published price before you book.

Is telehealth private and secure?

Providers must tell you what technology is used, who can access your information and whether a session is recorded. You also control the setting, so choose a private room. If discretion matters to you, ask the service how it stores records and how deliveries are packaged.

What do I need for a video consultation?

A phone, tablet or computer with a camera and microphone, a stable internet connection and a private space. Keep your Medicare card, photo ID and a list of current medications nearby. If video is not practical, many services offer phone consultations instead.

When should I skip telehealth and see someone face to face?

Any symptom that needs hands-on examination, such as a new lump or testicular pain, warrants an in-person appointment, as do procedures and sudden or severe symptoms. In an emergency call 000. Your telehealth doctor may also refer you to in-person care after assessing you.

Do I need a referral to use an online men's health service?

No. Services like Menova Health are direct: you complete an online assessment and then consult a registered doctor, with no GP referral required. A referral is only needed when claiming Medicare rebates for a specialist. Keeping your regular GP informed is still worthwhile.

References

• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, The health of Australia's males: how do Australia's males access health care? https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/men/male-health/contents/access-health-care
• Isautier JM et al., People's experiences and satisfaction with telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2020. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7732356/
• Department of Health, MBS telehealth services from January 2022 factsheet. https://www.mbsonline.gov.au/internet/mbsonline/publishing.nsf/Content/Factsheet-Telehealth-Arrangements-Jan22
• Healthdirect Australia, Virtual care clinics. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/virtual-care-clinics