Advancements in telehealth technology have transformed how the healthcare system tackles sports-related injuries in Australia.

Sport is hugely popular in Australia, but accessing healthcare can be tricky due to the size of the country. Thankfully, telehealth provides a handy solution.

The government has invested significant resources into telehealth, while several providers have also jumped on the bandwagon. These include InstantScripts. 

As evidenced by this impartial InstantScripts review, it offers a convenient service at a relatively low cost for people seeking prompt medical help.

For anyone needing support with sports-related injuries, InstantScripts is an invaluable resource in a country where telehealth is growing in popularity.  

A Nation Built for Telehealth

Australia is one of the biggest countries in the world by land mass, so accessing high-quality healthcare can be tricky for people who do not live in urban areas.

Distance is a big deal, especially when regional and rural athletes are competing hundreds of kilometres from the nearest medical facilities.

Australia’s vast expanse a logistical hurdle for athletes who need physical medical attention. Every time a player is injured, the coaches, trainers and medics on hand are forced to make tough calls about whether the athlete can continue playing or hold off for proper medical evaluation.

These decisions have long-term consequences, especially if they cannot get a second opinion from a medical professional before delivering a final verdict.

Telehealth changes the landscape by connecting coaches and trainers to healthcare providers who can make informed decisions in real time.

Sideline Support at the Click of a Button

Using secure video conferencing platforms, sports doctors and physiotherapists can now virtually ‘attend’ matches across the country.

They can assess injured athletes, observe basic physical responses, guide trainers through certain tests, and give their verdict on whether a player needs immediate medical attention. And they can now do all that from the sidelines using a phone or a tablet with a stable internet connection.

For example, if an athlete is suffering from an acute shortness of breath, telehealth allows the club to contact a specialist who can evaluate their condition.

The specialist can explore whether or not the player has suffered any prior episodes of bronchoconstriction and administer the most effective treatment.

The virtual interview can provide valuable information for both the clinician and the club involved. It works even better if the specialist has access to the player’s vital signs.

This does not happen every day, but it's a decent indication of how important telehealth is in terms of providing sideline support at just the click of a button.

Dealing with Concussion or Muscle-Related Injuries

Concussions have always been part and parcel of Australian sport. Extensive concussion protocols have been put in place to make sure athletes get the best care when that happens.

Telehealth services have proved to be invaluable. Research by Australian healthcare experts has shown just how effective telehealth is when assessing the severity of a concussion.

Tele-neurology platforms, similar to those guiding stroke care in hospitals, are now being used to assess athletes who may have suffered a head injury.

While not the same as physical assessment, studies have shown that virtual evaluations are incredibly reliable, especially when a trained sideline specialist is handling the case.

Even if a club does not have a medical doctor on hand, they can rely on virtual assessments to manage players safely and reduce the risk of throwing a player back into the game too quickly.

It also works when assessing muscular injuries. Concussions are taken more seriously considering how lethal they can be, but most sports-related injuries involve muscles, joints and bones. 

Sprains, strains, dislocations and fractures are commonplace in Australian sports. Telehealth is also helpful in this area. Many athletes and teams in rural and suburban Australia now lean on virtual orthopaedic consultations for fast answers.

Remote consultations can advise on-site trainers on how to perform simple but crucial assessments, checking for joint stability, observing range of motion and more.