Comparison of three modalities of teleophthalmology delivery in regional Western Australia during the COVID-19 lock-down.

Clinical Relevance: In conjunction with local optometry services, telehealth may be used in to provide specialist care for patients living in rural areas underserved by ophthalmology.

Background: To combat travel restrictions for specialist outreach to regional areas during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, Lions Outback Vision introduced three different modalities of teleophthalmology consultations; home-based telephone, hospital-based video, and optometry-based video. This study evaluated the utility of these in providing specialist care to rural patients during the pandemic.

Novel ENT live telehealth and live video-otoscopy clinics in remote Australia: outcomes and comparisons to traditional clinic models.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 challenged the delivery of healthcare in Australia, disproportionately impacting vulnerable patients, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and those living in remote regions. The otolaryngology service provided to remote Western Australia adapted to these barriers by altering clinical consultations to a digital model.

Methods: A review was undertaken of patients in regional Western Australia.