Telehealth pre-op appointments are becoming a normal part of preparing for surgery across Australia. Instead of driving to a clinic and sitting in a waiting room, many patients now complete part or all of their pre-surgery assessment over the phone or by video call.
This shift has been years in the making, but it has accelerated significantly since the pandemic and is now a permanent, well-established part of healthcare in Australia. This article explains how telehealth pre-op appointments actually work, what they can and cannot replace, and what to expect if your surgical team offers you one.
What a Telehealth Pre-Op Appointment Involves
A pre-op, or preadmission, appointment is designed to assess your health and readiness ahead of surgery, and much of this can now happen remotely.
Telehealth involves consulting your healthcare provider remotely when a physical examination isn’t needed, and it has become an ongoing, permanent part of how Medicare-funded care is delivered in Australia since January 2022.
During a telehealth pre-op consultation, your anaesthetist or surgical team will typically review your medical history, current medications, allergies and any relevant test results, and discuss what to expect on the day of your operation. This is also your opportunity to ask questions about anaesthesia, recovery, or anything else that has been on your mind.
Why This Shift Has Happened
The move toward virtual pre-op assessments was not just a pandemic-era workaround. It reflects genuine benefits for both patients and hospitals.
Convenience and Reduced Travel
For many patients, particularly those living further from a hospital, a video or phone consultation removes the need to take time off work or arrange transport for what is often a routine check-in.
Supporting Rural and Regional Patients
Telehealth has long played a role in improving access for Australians living outside major cities, since those in rural and remote areas often need to travel long distances to see their healthcare provider, something a virtual pre-op appointment can significantly reduce.
Freeing Up Clinic Capacity
Hospitals also benefit from offering virtual pre-op options, since it can free up physical clinic space and appointment slots for patients who genuinely need to be seen in person. This can help reduce overall waiting times across a busy preadmission clinic.
What Telehealth Can and Cannot Replace
Not every part of your pre-op process can be done remotely, and that is by design rather than a limitation being overlooked.
- Reviewing your medical history and current medications
- Discussing your anaesthetic plan and answering your questions
- Explaining what to expect before, during and after surgery
- Confirming fasting instructions and day-of-surgery logistics
Physical examinations, certain tests, and assessments that require hands-on evaluation still generally need to happen in person, so some patients may have a hybrid pre-op process combining a telehealth consultation with a shorter in-person visit. Complex medical histories or higher-risk procedures are also more likely to warrant an in-person assessment at some stage.
Guidance from the Medical Board of Australia requires that telehealth consultations meet the same standard of care as an in-person consultation, and doctors must let you know if they believe your situation needs to be seen face to face instead.
Maintaining Safety and Standards
Some patients understandably wonder whether a remote consultation can be as safe or reliable as sitting in front of a doctor.
Under guidelines from the Medical Board of Australia, practitioners must confirm your identity, ensure you understand the telehealth process, and explain your billing arrangements before proceeding, in addition to meeting the same standard of care expected in an in-person consultation.
If your doctor believes your situation genuinely requires a face-to-face assessment, they are expected to tell you and arrange an in-person appointment instead, rather than pushing ahead with a telehealth consultation that is not appropriate for your needs.
Does It Cost Anything?
Whether your telehealth pre-op appointment is bulk billed or attracts a fee depends on your provider and eligibility.
A range of Medicare Benefits Schedule items are available for telehealth video and phone consultations with specialists, and these are available to eligible patients regardless of their location within Australia.
It is worth asking your hospital or specialist’s office directly what the appointment will involve and whether any out-of-pocket costs apply, since this can vary between providers and procedures. Private hospital pre-op processes may also differ from those in the public system.
Getting the Most Out of Your Telehealth Pre-Op Appointment
A little preparation can make a virtual consultation just as thorough and useful as an in-person one.
- Have a list of your current medications and dosages ready
- Write down any questions about the procedure or recovery beforehand
- Test your phone or video connection ahead of the appointment time
- Find a quiet, private space where you can speak openly
If at any point you feel a telehealth appointment is not giving you the depth of information you need, it is entirely reasonable to ask for an in-person consultation instead. Your comfort and confidence heading into surgery matters more than which format the appointment takes.
Conclusion
Telehealth is reshaping the pre-op experience for many Australians, offering a more convenient way to complete much of the preparation for surgery without sacrificing the quality of care. It is particularly valuable for people in rural and regional areas who would otherwise face long trips for a routine assessment, though it still sits alongside in-person care where that is genuinely needed.
If you have surgery coming up, ask your surgical team whether a telehealth pre-op option is available to you. You can also visit surgery.com.au to find surgeons and specialists across major Australian cities and to read more articles on preparing for surgery.
FAQs
1. Is a telehealth pre-op appointment as thorough as an in-person one?
It can be for much of the assessment, since medical history, medication review and pre-surgery education can generally be covered just as well remotely. Some patients may still need a brief in-person visit for physical examination or specific tests.
2. Will my telehealth pre-op appointment be bulk billed?
It depends on your provider and eligibility under Medicare rules, along with whether your procedure is being managed through the public or private system. It is best to check directly with your hospital or specialist’s office before your appointment.
3. Can I request an in-person pre-op appointment instead of telehealth?
Yes. If you would prefer a face-to-face consultation, you can ask your surgical team to arrange this instead of, or alongside, a virtual appointment.
4. Is telehealth only useful for rural and regional patients?
No. While it offers particular benefits for people who live far from a hospital, city-based patients also use telehealth pre-op appointments for convenience and reduced time away from work or family commitments.
5. What should I have ready for a telehealth pre-op appointment?
A list of current medications, any known allergies, and a written list of questions will help you get the most out of the consultation, along with a stable phone or internet connection and a private space to talk.