Below is a concise, practical summary of current clinical standards and best-practice principles for telehealth — with emphasis on Australia (regulatory requirements, clinical safety, documentation, prescribing, privacy, technology and governance). I’ve cited authoritative Australian sources and relevant international guidance where useful.

Key Australian regulatory sources (used below)

• Medical Board of Australia — Guidelines: Telehealth consultations with patients (updated 2023). (www1.RACGP.org.au)
• AHPRA / Medical Board-related guidance and regulator statements on telehealth and prescribing (including concerns about asynchronous “tick-box” prescribing). (theguardian.com)
• Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) telehealth resources and commentary on MBS/telehealth policy. (www1.RACGP.org.au)
• Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) — work on virtual care/standards (see ACSQHC guidance projects). (www1.RACGP.org.au)

Core clinical standards and practical checklist

1. Clinical suitability and triage

• Check whether the patient’s presenting problem is appropriate for telehealth (suitability varies by clinical issue, complexity, need for physical exam, mental state, risk). If telehealth is unsuitable, arrange in-person assessment. (www1.RACGP.org.au)

2. Pre-consultation verification and identity

• Verify patient identity, location, and consent to a telehealth consultation (record where the patient is physically located — relevant for jurisdictional/regulatory reasons). Confirm any interpreter needs. (www1.RACGP.org.au)

3. Informed consent and explanation of limitations

• Obtain and document informed consent for telehealth, including limits of remote assessment, privacy risks, and contingency plans (e.g., loss of connection or need for escalation to in-person care). (www1.RACGP.org.au)

4. Clinical relationship and continuity of care

• Telehealth is best delivered within an ongoing clinical relationship where possible. For MBS-funded services in Australia, rules require an established clinical relationship in many cases (and MyMedicare registration changes apply). Document prior face‑to‑face contacts when required. (www1.RACGP.org.au)

5. Real-time (synchronous) consultations preferred for assessment and prescribing

• The Medical Board states that prescribing or providing health care without a real‑time consultation (in‑person, video or phone) is not good practice. Asynchronous “tick‑box” prescribing without a real-time consult is strongly discouraged and has attracted regulatory action. Video is preferred when practical because it provides more clinical information, but phone is acceptable when video is not available. (www1.RACGP.org.au)

6. Prescribing, documentation and follow-up

• Follow normal prescribing standards (indication, dose, interactions, allergies). Document the consultation thoroughly (who was present, technology used, consent, clinical findings, clinical decision-making, follow-up plan). Ensure safety-netting and clear escalation/follow-up arrangements. (www1.RACGP.org.au)

7. Technology, privacy and security

• Use secure, compliant platforms that meet privacy and data‑security requirements. Ensure clinicians know how to use the technology, that adequate audio/video quality exists for clinical decision-making, and that backup plans exist for technical failure. Inform patients about data handling and storage. (www1.RACGP.org.au)

8. Cultural safety, accessibility and equity

• Consider access barriers (rural/remote, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people experiencing homelessness, people with low digital literacy). Use interpreter services when needed and be aware of exemptions/arrangements to support access. (www1.RACGP.org.au)

9. Governance, credentialing and indemnity

• Organisations must have governance arrangements for telehealth (clinical oversight, credentialing, scope of practice, escalation pathways, quality assurance). Clinicians must confirm indemnity covers telehealth (including asynchronous modalities if used) and ensure registration requirements are met if consulting across borders (AHPRA registration rules apply to clinicians consulting with patients in Australia). (www1.RACGP.org.au)

10. Safety and escalation (including emergencies)

• Have clear protocols for identifying deterioration or acute risk, how to escalate to emergency services locally (need to know patient location), and how to arrange prompt in‑person assessment when required. (www1.RACGP.org.au)

11. Quality improvement and monitoring

• Monitor telehealth outcomes, patient satisfaction, adverse events and complaints. Participate in audits, incident reporting and continuous improvement. Organisations and providers should align with safety‑and‑quality frameworks (ACSQHC work on virtual care). (www1.RACGP.org.au)

12. Special considerations for asynchronous care and AI

• Asynchronous questionnaires and algorithmic/AI decision-support may play a role, but the Medical Board explicitly cautions against relying solely on asynchronous assessments for prescribing or replacement of real-time clinical judgement. Where AI or automated triage is used, ensure clinician oversight, validation, transparency and documentation. Regulatory scrutiny is increasing. (theguardian.com)

Practical one-page telehealth checklist (clinician)

• Verify patient identity, location and consent (document). (www1.RACGP.org.au)
• Confirm clinical suitability for telehealth; if not suitable, arrange in-person. (www1.RACGP.org.au)
• Use secure platform; check audio/video; privacy explained. (www1.RACGP.org.au)
• Conduct assessment, document findings, decisions, medications, and follow-up. (www1.RACGP.org.au)
• Provide safety-netting and escalation instructions (tell patient when/how to seek urgent care). (www1.RACGP.org.au)
• Arrange/record follow-up and continuity (who will provide ongoing care). (www1.RACGP.org.au)

Where to look for full, official guidance and updates (Australia)

• Medical Board of Australia / AHPRA — “Guidelines: Telehealth consultations with patients” (primary regulator guidance). (www1.RACGP.org.au)
• RACGP — telehealth resources for GPs, clinical toolkits and commentary on MBS rules. (www1.RACGP.org.au)
• ACSQHC — resources on virtual care/standards (organisational safety and quality frameworks). (www1.RACGP.org.au)
• Department of Health & Aged Care / MBS updates — for funding, MyMedicare rules and eligibility changes (noting changes to telehealth item eligibility). (www1.RACGP.org.au)

Notes about recent policy changes and regulatory focus (Australia)

• Since 2023 regulators have tightened guidance on prescribing and asynchronous care; regulators have acted in cases of inadequate assessment/prescribing via online-only services. Expect continuing policy changes, stronger oversight of online prescribers, and moves to standardise telehealth safety and governance nationally. Recent MBS changes (from 1 November 2025 in some items) affect eligibility pathways (MyMedicare / established relationship rules). Stay current with Department of Health announcements. (theguardian.com)

If you want:

• I can produce a printable clinic policy template (consent wording, clinician checklist, escalation flowchart) tailored to Australian regulatory requirements.
• Or I can summarise a single source (e.g., the Medical Board guideline) into a 1–2 page clinician checklist with exact citation lines.

Which would you prefer?