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Do I need to see a GP in person?

Telehealth handles most routine GP work. Here's when video or phone is enough, and when an in-person visit is the right call.

Do I need to see a GP in person?

For most routine GP issues, no. Telehealth handles repeat scripts, medical certificates, mental health support, common infections (UTI, sore throat, sinusitis), chronic-disease reviews, and specialist or pathology referrals.

You do need in-person care for procedures (injections, IUD insertion, skin lesion removal, suturing), pelvic or breast examinations, bedside testing, and anything that needs hands-on physical assessment. Emergencies (severe chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke symptoms, severe bleeding, suspected serious head injury) need 000 or an ED — not telehealth and not a routine GP visit.

What telehealth GPs handle well

Most general practice work doesn't require a hands-on physical examination. A skilled history, focused clinical reasoning, and access to test results does the diagnostic work in the majority of cases. Telehealth is well suited to:

  • Repeat prescriptions — antihypertensives, antidepressants, asthma inhalers, contraception (see repeat prescriptions)
  • Medical certificates for time off work, study, or carer responsibilities (see medical certificates)
  • Mental health — assessment, support, referrals via a Mental Health Treatment Plan
  • Common infections — UTIs, sore throat, sinusitis, viral illness, where the history and symptom pattern are diagnostic
  • Chronic disease management — high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, asthma reviews
  • Pathology results review and follow-up
  • Specialist referrals (see specialist referrals online) and pathology / imaging referrals
  • Follow-up after a hospital admission or in-person consultation

When in-person GP is the right call

Some situations genuinely need hands-on examination or a clinic environment. See your GP in person (or a walk-in / urgent care clinic) for:

  • Procedures — injections (vaccines, joint injections), IUD insertion or removal, contraceptive implant, suturing, skin lesion removal, biopsies, cryotherapy
  • Pelvic and breast examinations, cervical screening
  • Ear-drum check for suspected middle-ear infection
  • Throat swab for suspected strep throat
  • Detailed eye assessment
  • Hands-on joint or abdominal examination
  • ECG, formal blood pressure measurement, spirometry
  • Complex paediatric assessment in under-5s, particularly when the child looks unwell
  • Any situation where the telehealth GP says they need to see you in person

If you're unsure, the telehealth GP can do an initial assessment by video and direct you in-person if needed — often faster than calling around to find an available appointment.

When neither telehealth nor a routine GP is right — go to ED

Some situations need emergency care, not a GP visit. Call 000 or go to the nearest emergency department for:

  • Severe chest pain, especially with breathlessness, sweating, or pain radiating to the jaw or arm
  • Sudden weakness, slurred speech, facial drooping, severe headache (stroke symptoms)
  • Difficulty breathing or wheezing not relieved by reliever inhaler
  • Severe bleeding that won't stop with pressure
  • Suspected serious head injury, especially with loss of consciousness, vomiting, or confusion
  • Severe abdominal pain with vomiting or rigid abdomen
  • Anaphylaxis or severe allergic reaction
  • Major trauma — fall from height, motor vehicle accident
  • Suicide attempt or imminent intent to self-harm
  • Severe mental health crisis

A practical decision framework

Life-threatening or sudden severe symptoms → 000 or ED. Needs a procedure or physical examination → in-person GP or urgent care clinic. Routine GP work, repeat scripts, mental health, results review, referrals → telehealth. When in doubt, the telehealth GP can do the initial triage and tell you if in-person review is needed. If you're unsure where to go, our where to get care guide and care triage tool can help.

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Last reviewed 14 May 2026. Editorial policy

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Frequently asked questions

What can a telehealth GP do that doesn't need an in-person visit?

Telehealth GPs can do almost everything an in-person GP can do that doesn't require a physical examination: history-taking, treatment decisions, eScripts, medical certificates, Chronic Disease Management Plans, Mental Health Treatment Plans, pathology and imaging referrals, specialist referrals, results review, and follow-up consultations. The same Medicare items, same prescribing rules, same clinical guidelines apply.

When does telehealth definitely not work?

Telehealth is not suitable for: emergencies (call 000), procedures (injections, IUD insertion, skin lesion removal, biopsies, suturing), pelvic or breast examinations, bedside testing (ECG, blood pressure measurement if you don't have a cuff, throat swab), eye examinations needing slit-lamp, anything requiring hands-on physical assessment, and complex paediatric assessment in the under-5s.

Can a telehealth GP diagnose what's wrong with me?

In many cases yes. Diagnosis is often based on history rather than examination — UTIs, viral illness, anxiety and depression, hay fever, eczema, migraine, IBS, and most chronic conditions are diagnosed primarily through what you describe and your medical history. The GP will tell you if examination or testing is needed to clarify the diagnosis, and arrange it.

Will a telehealth GP refer me to a specialist if I need one?

Yes. Specialist referrals are one of the most common telehealth outputs. The referral letter is sent electronically and is valid for 12 months (or longer for some specialties). You choose which specialist to see.

What about complex chronic conditions — can I manage those by telehealth?

Yes, much of the time. Telehealth is well suited to chronic disease management: medication reviews, dose adjustments, pathology monitoring, allied health referrals via a Chronic Disease Management Plan. In-person visits may be added periodically for examination (blood pressure check, foot exam in diabetes, joint examination) but most of the year's appointments can be telehealth.

Should children see a telehealth GP or an in-person GP?

For most simple presentations — common cold, hay fever, mild rashes, follow-up of a known condition, repeat scripts — telehealth is fine for older children. For under-5s, anything fever-related, anything where the child looks unwell, or anything needing physical examination (ear, throat, abdomen, rash assessment), in-person review is usually better. The telehealth GP will direct you accordingly.

Is telehealth as good as seeing a GP in person?

For most routine GP work, telehealth is clinically equivalent and substantially more convenient. RACGP and the Department of Health both recognise telehealth as a valid mode of GP care. Where physical examination matters, in-person is irreplaceable. A good telehealth GP will draw the line honestly and direct you in-person when that's what you need.

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