Online Podiatry Consulting

An Online Podiatry consultation takes place via video conferencing or audio over the internet.

You may be wondering how Online Podiatry Consultations actually work. It is without doubt the number one question as the general perception is that a Podiatrist provides treatment using mainly hands on therapy. This perception is absolutely correct as manual hands-on therapy does work! However, much research has found that, with active rehabilitation in the absence of hands-on treatment, an individual will often become empowered to be pain free long term.

We can assess most foot and lower leg problems online. These are:

• Heel pain
• Plantar Fasciitis/(Plantar Fasciosis)
• Achilles tendinitis/tendinopathy
• Forefoot Pain/Neuroma
• Arthritis/Joint Pain
• Shin splints
• Knee pain
• Running Injuries
• Ingrown Toenails
• Sports Injuries

At the time of booking you are required to pay for your Online Podiatry consultation. When done, we will send you an email to confirm your appointment. That email will have the following information – when the consultation will take place, the link you need to click on to connect, the link to a registration form that you need to fill out prior to your online consultation and information on how you can prepare for your first meeting with the Podiatrist.

Your Podiatrist should already have a good understanding of your pain or issue prior to meeting with you as you would have detailed much of your issue in the form you submitted. Doing this will allow your Podiatrist to dive straight into your assessment. You may be asked to perform specific movements for your Podiatrist to gain an insight into your condition.

Your Podiatrist will also discuss the following:

• your treatment goals (what you want to change)
• what’s wrong (the likely diagnosis)
• why the issue is there (education of the root cause of your issue)

You will then receive a personalised management plan and exercise program to get you back to doing the things you love to do.

At this stage you are unable to claim your Online Podiatry consults using your private health insurance.

In regards to Medicare, new legislation has just been introduced (29/3/2020) that allows people who have a chronic medical condition (ie. Cardiovascular conditions, chronic eye conditions, cancer, neurological conditions, lung and respiratory disease, diabetes, kidney disease etc) to have access to telehealth services such as Online Podiatry consultations bulk billed. If you are eligible, your GP will be able to give you a referral for up to 5 consultations. This is only valid from 13 March 2020 to 30 September 2020.

Online Podiatry consultations will cost less than an in-clinic consultation. You can check out our fees in the booking section below.

To connect with your Podiatrist you will need your laptop or computer with a video and microphone function, or your smartphone.

During your online consultation it would be helpful for your Podiatrist to see the following:

• Footwear (shoes you wear often)
• Diagnostic film results (ie. xrays, ultrasounds etc)
• Pictures of your foot or of the issue that you have (this is so you can readily share it at the time of your consultation)

The Footcare Clinic has ethical and legal obligations to protect your privacy. Our clients have a right to expect our team to hold information about them in confidence and that they meet the Australian high standards of privacy, security and confidentiality. Your Online Podiatry Consultation WILL NOT be recorded. Your Podiatrist will take thorough notes during and/or after your consultation and this information is kept on our secure database.