Rural, interstate and telehealth patients

Dr Spelman consults in both Melbourne and regularly sees patients who travel from regional areas and interstate. Distance need not prevent you being seen.

Telehealth

Telehealth consultations are available for some cases depending on the clinical concern.

Telehealth works well for reviewing imaging and discussing options, second opinions, and routine post-operative review where an examination is not required.

It works less well for a first assessment of an undiagnosed problem — most orthopaedic diagnoses depend on physical examination.

If you are travelling for surgery

The rooms can help coordinate:

•          Consultation and surgery scheduled close together to reduce the number of trips

•          Pre-operative investigations arranged locally where possible

•          Post-operative physiotherapy with a provider near home, working to Dr Spelman’s protocol

•          Follow-up by telehealth where an in-person review is not needed

•          Correspondence with your local GP and physiotherapist

Before you travel

Send your imaging and referral ahead so Dr Spelman can review them before you arrive. This often means a more productive appointment and occasionally saves the trip altogether.