Virtual immunology care assists Teresa from Manjimup to manage chronic eczema
Dr Dominic Mallon on a VIC-GP call with Immunology Clinical Nurse Consultant Terri Williams
For Manjimup woman Teresa, the virtual care she received to manage her chronic skin eczema from the Perth-based Fiona Stanley Hospital (FSH) Virtual Immunology Clinic for General Practice (VIC-GP), dramatically improved her quality of life.
The VIC-GP service enabled her local general practitioner (GP) in Manjimup to refer her directly to a FSH immunologist virtual appointment in real time. Teresa said the virtual care she received with her GP and FSH Clinical Immunologist Dr Dominic Mallon improved her eczema significantly.
“I have struggled with eczema for around 40 years and have tried a variety of treatments, but nothing has worked like the treatment I received through the virtual care with Dr Mallon,” Teresa said.
Commencing as a pilot clinic with 11 GPs in January 2022, the VIC-GP service is partnership between FSH’s Immunology Service, the Western Australian Primary Healthcare Alliance (WAPHA) and GPs that aims to improve access to clinical immunology and allergy expertise, while reducing waitlists.
Teresa said, “It has been amazing to have the appointments virtually from Manjimup with my GP and Dr Mallon as I don’t drive far, and it meant that my daughter didn’t need to drive me all the way to Perth for the appointments.”
Dr Mallon said the VIC-GP service is particularly beneficial for patients located remotely, like Teresa, or who may be immunocompromised or vulnerable and unable to access in-person services.
“After just one year of operation, the VIC-GP service has received 617 new referrals from 159 GPs, with 55 general practices, hospitals and Aboriginal Medical Services registered,” Dr Mallon said.
“Patients have not only gained more timely and equitable access to care, but average wait times for first appointments have reduced and discharge rates after first appointments have increased.”
Further, GPs have also gained in-context education and upskilling in the primary care of referred conditions, reducing GP referrals to immunology.“I really hope everyone can access these services virtually like I did,” Teresa said.
21 to 25 October is Virtual Care Week, which brings awareness to the improved accessibility and benefits virtual healthcare offers to patients. South Metropolitan Health Service virtual care is contributing to accessible and sustainable healthcare for all.
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