Information sheet: Inter-jurisdictional technology based patient consultations

In 2012, the Medical Board of Australia (the Board) issued Guidelines for technology based patient consultations. Additional information is provided for medical practitioners who conduct inter-jurisdictional technology based patient consultations. In this context, jurisdiction refers to countries or regions outside Australia (i.e. consultations which are conducted when the patient or the practitioner is outside Australia).

The Board’s Guidelines for technology based patient consultations aims to inform registered medical practitioners and the community about the Board’s expectations of medical practitioners who participate in technology-based patient consultations.

Telehealth and technology based consultations are increasingly used to improve access to medical services, especially in rural and remote areas. This technology is now being used across international jurisdictions.

The Board’s current guidelines do not include specific advice on inter-jurisdictional consultations. This additional information aims to assist medical practitioners in relation to their registration and liability obligations for technology based patient consultations which are conducted when either the patient or the practitioner is outside Australia.

The Board expects that medical practitioners:

• providing medical services to patients in Australia will be registered with the Board regardless of where the practitioner is located
• consider the appropriateness of a technology based consultation for each patient’s circumstances
• comply with the requirements of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law as in force in each state and territory (the National Law) and the Board’s registration standards, codes and guidelines including the Professional Indemnity Insurance Registration Standard which requires that a medical practitioner is covered for all aspects of their medical practice
• who conduct technology based consultations with a patient who is outside Australia establish whether they are required to be registered by the medical regulator in that jurisdiction (for example, the General Medical Council for a patient in the United Kingdom)
• ensure that their patients are informed in relation to billing arrangements for consultations and whether the patient will be able to access Medicare or private health insurance rebates.

• Guidelines for technology based patient consultations
• Good medical practice: A code of conduct for doctors in Australia.