Virtual clinic makes life a lot easier

For mum of three Danika Vella the expansion of Metro North’s virtual diabetes clinics has made it easier to juggle life, work, health and family pressures.

Danika, who has diabetes, had to attend regular specialist and diabetes appointments in Brisbane to help monitor her ongoing health, as well as mange the concerns of her children.

“It’s made life a lot easier to not have to travel or take time off of work to attend an appointment, as you often have to take the kids with you,” Danika said.

The primary school teacher of 20 years would often take regular trips to Caboolture or Brisbane to attend her diabetes appointments.

“Every three months we also had to go see a paediatrician for my children,” Danika said. “The virtual clinics are a lot more convenient and it feels like you are in the room with the Nurse Practitioner or doctor.

“I don’t have to leave my house and can still be there for the kids. There is no traffic, no stress and you don’t have to find a car park.”

Community and Oral Health Diabetes Service Nurse Practitioner Kerry Porter said we have been trialling virtual clinics in Metro North for some time, but the COVID-19 response has seen us fast track our virtual clinic use, supported by the expansion of telehealth technology.

“Between March and June 2020, close to 400 virtual appointments have been offered through the Metro North Diabetes Service,” she said.

Kerry said the increased use of virtual clinics was not only safe, but time efficient for the patient as it allows the clinician to view the patients results remotely which the patient can upload from the comfort of their home.

“We have found that patients are attending more regularly, as the cost of travelling to centres can be an issue for many,” Kerry said.

“In future we expect that the use of telehealth will expand as we introduce more equipment into our community-based clinics – with virtual clinics the way of the future.”

The Community and Oral Health Diabetes Service is offered at Caboolture Community Health Centre, Chermside Community Health Centre and North Lakes Health Precinct, and also supports patients in The Prince Charles, Redcliffe and Caboolture Hospitals.

Virtual clinics are making life a lot easier for many diabetes patients.