Rhealyn Santos
While it is not yet a globally accepted way of accessing healthcare, telehealth has been integrated into the health sector of several developed countries around the world, including Australia.
Telehealth services are hugely important for Australians who love to travel, offering online access to medical guidance and assistance, regardless of where they are located.
For instance, the United States is a popular destination for Australians. The ability to connect with trusted telehealth providers when travelling there is a Godsend. Hola Health is one of the best platforms for Australian citizens. As evidenced by this impartial Hola Health review, it offers on-demand medical access for Australians at home or abroad.
That makes them the perfect go-to platform for Australians travelling to the US. Medical emergencies have a tendency to sneak up on people when they least expect them.
However, with one of the best telehealth providers in their back pocket, they can rest assured that they have access to quality healthcare whenever they need it.
Read on as we assess how telehealth services support Australians travelling to the US.
Finding the Right Healthcare in the US
More than 710,000 Australians travelled to the US according to figures published in June 2024, accounting for an impressive 16.4 percent increase from the previous year.
The US is the third most popular destination for Aussies, behind Indonesia and New Zealand. They contribute over $4 billion to the economy in tourism spending.
However, finding the right healthcare in the US can be quite the challenge, considering there is a discrepancy in how the healthcare system compares to Australia.
Many of the healthcare facilities are private, which means meeting with a medical professional can be extremely expensive for overseas visitors.
Australians are more accustomed to Medicare-backed services, bulk-billed general practitioner (GP) appointments and a system that is relatively straightforward.
Throw in the stress of being unwell in a foreign environment, and the entire trip could quickly become overwhelming. But this is where telehealth thrives.
Instead of panicking about choosing the right hospital, Australians can turn to an online consultation, speak to a trusted professional and go from there.
Why Florida is a Popular Destination for Many Australians
Whenever Australians travel to the US for a vacation, the first spot that often comes to mind is Las Vegas in Nevada.
However, Florida also has a massive pull due to its beaches, theme parks, and warm weather.
Florida shattered tourism records by welcoming a whopping 149.2 million visitors from around the world last year, which is a 1.6% increase from the previous year.
The state welcomed 41.2m visitors in the first quarter of this year, which cemented their place as the leading tourism destination in the country. Florida’s state theme parks have played a huge part in bumping up those outstanding numbers. Walt Disney World welcomes 58m annual visitors.
Throw in Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Tampa and other world-renowned venues, and it becomes clearer why Florida has become a magnet for international visitors.
However, Florida is also a place where visitors often need medical support for different reasons. You never can tell when health concerns will interrupt holiday plans.
But telehealth makes sure that any issue can be addressed quickly, rather than spending a lot of time finding suitable and affordable healthcare services in the US.
Telehealth as a Travel Companion
Telehealth has become one of the most significant additions to global healthcare over the past decade.
It bridges the gap between patients and doctors, specialists and other healthcare professionals through digital options such as video calls, secure chat or online platforms.
Telehealth became mainstream in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic, but its usefulness extends far beyond national borders. It provides plenty of advantages for Australians travelling to the US, including accessibility.
Telehealth connects patients to medical professionals in a matter of minutes. All they need is a suitable digital device and access to a decent internet connection.
It also ensures continuity of care by connecting travelling Australians with medical practitioners who already understand their medical history, prescriptions and health background.
Telehealth reduces cost, but not at the expense of high-quality care. When placed side by side, telehealth gets the job done with similar efficiency as in-person care.
And the icing on the cake is that it’s a lot cheaper and far more convenient.
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