Transforming care through digital solutions: Federation Physiotherapy Virtual Care Clinic at Federation University
In recent years, virtual care (telehealth) has emerged as a key tool in enabling access to healthcare, especially for rural and remote communities.
Seeing an opportunity to improve healthcare and education in Gippsland, the Federation Physiotherapy Virtual Care Clinic (FPVCC) opened its doors to deliver a community-centred practice that offers telehealth to patients across the region.
Their dedication to providing an advanced, tech-based service was recently recognised with the award for ‘Transforming Care Through Digital Solutions’ at the 2024 Gippsland Primary Health Awards.
The FPVCC has supported more than 1000 video-call appointments with community members living with chronic health conditions since it opened in August 2023.
The team has used telehealth to break down barriers associated with traditional healthcare such as travel, cost, and long waiting lists.
FPVCC Community Liaison Officer, Phoebe Hicks, explained, “We know that telehealth is an essential service for regional and remote health and wellbeing, and we have received wonderful feedback from consumers and health service providers.
“It takes pressure off the health system by allowing appointments to be conducted from home and reducing the need for people to get in a vehicle and travel,” she said.
Ms Hicks emphasised the importance of preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals by providing clinical placements in digital care and telehealth through a student-led clinic.
“Establishing a student-led Virtual Care Clinic was identified to meet community need while building and developing virtual care skills of Physiotherapy students through telehealth, where they are able to gain valuable practical experience, supported and supervised by their clinical educators,” Ms Hicks said.
“There are no other universities offering a virtual physiotherapy service to the community and their students. This has been developed in consultation with the Gippsland community and stakeholders, and our advisory committee has been on this journey with us as the program has evolved.”
The FPVCC offers a range of evidence-based health assessments and treatments. These include motivational interviewing, exercise prescription, social prescription, prehabilitation and rehabilitation.
Since its inception, the clinic has earned nearly 100 per cent patient satisfaction, with feedback emphasising the service’s accessibility, supportiveness, and safety.
One consumer shared: “As someone living in a remote rural town, I often have to travel in excess of one and a half hours to get to medical appointments for specialty services in other towns. Being able to meet remotely online saves me hours of time and of course the petrol.”
This consistent positivity reflects not only the quality of care but also the clinic’s steadfast commitment to using technology to make a difference to people’s health.
For further information on the clinic and referral options please visit: https://federation.edu.au/federation-allied-healthcare/physiotherapy-clinic
