Asthma treatment online

Yes. You can talk to an AHPRA-registered Australian doctor about asthma through a real-time telehealth consultation. You complete a short online form and an AI preconsult call, then a doctor phones you, reviews your history and discusses your options. The doctor decides what is clinically appropriate. Completing a form or paying a fee does not mean a particular outcome.

No. A telehealth consultation suits both a review of asthma you already manage and a first conversation about new symptoms. If your doctor thinks you need an examination, a test or an in-person appointment before anything else, they will say so and point you to the right service.

Where clinically appropriate, yes. Your doctor decides after speaking with you and reviewing your history. Some medicines cannot be prescribed by telehealth, and some situations need an in-person examination or a test first. If your doctor prescribes, your eScript token arrives by SMS for use at a pharmacy. If they complete the consult without prescribing, the consultation fee still applies. Doccy refunds the fee only when we cannot deliver the consultation.

A prescription consultation costs $42.00 AUD. This is a one-off consultation fee. It is not the price of medicine and there is no subscription. If a doctor prescribes, you pay your pharmacy separately, with PBS pricing where you are eligible. Medicare details are required and the consultation is not bulk billed.

Asthma is not always suitable for telehealth. If your doctor thinks you need to be seen in person, they will explain why and recommend a next step, such as your usual GP, a pathology collection centre or an emergency department. Completing that consult without a prescription is still a completed consultation, and the fee applies. Doccy refunds the consultation fee only when we cannot deliver the consultation. In an emergency, call triple zero (000).

Triggers differ from person to person. Common ones are colds and other respiratory infections, pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mould, exercise, cold or dry air, smoke, air pollution, strong smells and stress. Some medicines can also worsen asthma. Keeping a note of when your symptoms flare helps your doctor identify your triggers and build them into your asthma action plan.

Yes. The National Asthma Council and Asthma Australia recommend that everyone with asthma has a written action plan, whatever their age or how mild their asthma feels. It sets out your daily management, how to recognise a flare-up, what to do about it and when to call for help. Plans should be reviewed at least yearly. Only about one in three Australians with asthma has one, so it is worth asking your doctor.

Yes, for asthma that has already been diagnosed. Your doctor can go through your symptoms, how often you need your usual medicine, your triggers and your action plan, and discuss changes where appropriate. Confirming a new asthma diagnosis normally needs lung function testing and a chest examination in person, so your doctor may refer you to your regular GP for that step.

Sit upright and stay calm. Follow your asthma action plan, or asthma first aid if you do not have one. If you cannot speak in full sentences, your lips look blue, your usual medicine is not helping, or you are exhausted or drowsy, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance straight away. Do not wait for a telehealth appointment. Asthma Australia has a free first aid guide at asthma.org.au.

Usually, yes. Asthma is a long-term condition, and while some children grow out of their symptoms, many people have it for life. The good news is that with the right management most people control their symptoms and lead active lives. Regular review matters because the pattern of asthma can change over time, and treatment that suited you a few years ago may need adjusting.