A Practical Guide for Digital Consulting Setups
Telehealth in Australia has evolved from a temporary COVID-19 pandemic measure into a core component of healthcare delivery. By removing geographical and logistical barriers, it enables clinicians to provide timely, patient-centred care to rural, remote, and urban populations alike.
The growth trajectory is clear with the Australian telehealth market projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16.6% between 2025 and 2034 (Expert Market Research). This expansion is being driven not only by patient demand but also by strategic investment from healthcare networks and government bodies looking to enhance access, efficiency, and patient outcomes.
However, delivering high-quality digital consultations requires more than just a video platform—it demands a purpose-built workstation that supports ergonomic comfort, optimises workflow, maintains security, and integrates seamlessly with clinical systems.
This guide explores evidence-based considerations for designing or upgrading telehealth workstations in Australian healthcare settings.
Ergonomics & Efficiency
Poor workstation ergonomics are a well-documented cause of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), including lower back pain, neck strain, and repetitive strain injuries in the arms, shoulders, and hands. The risk is heightened for telehealth providers, who may be working from static seated positions for extended periods. Prolonged static postures increase spinal loading and fatigue, reducing both comfort and concentration.
In addition to clinician health, ergonomic setup directly affects workflow efficiency. A poorly positioned monitor or camera may force clinicians to constantly adjust posture, take unnecessary breaks, or lose eye contact with the patient—disrupting rapport and the consultation flow.
Design recommendations:
- Monitor positioning: Keep the top of the screen at or slightly below eye level, with the monitor placed approximately one arm’s length away. This reduces neck flexion and prevents forward head posture, which is linked to cervical spine strain.
- Workstation height: The desk height should allow forearms to be parallel to the floor, with wrists in a neutral position. Feet should rest flat on the floor or on a footrest.
- Adjustability: Height-adjustable chairs, mobile workstations as well as sit-stand desks help alternate between sitting and standing postures, reducing static load and promoting circulation.
- Lighting & environment: Natural light is ideal, but ensure it comes from the side to avoid glare on the screen. Supplement with adjustable LED task lighting. Maintain a comfortable room temperature and adequate ventilation to avoid fatigue.
- Peripheral placement: Equipment such as document cameras or diagnostic tools should be positioned at eye level or within the primary visual field to maintain patient eye contact while in use.
Audio-Visual Quality
The quality of video and audio can make or break a telehealth consultation. Poor visuals can limit the clinician’s ability to pick up on non-verbal cues, while distorted audio can lead to misunderstandings or the need for repeated explanations.
Key considerations:
- Video resolution: Basic telehealth setups should meet a minimum of resolution (640 × 480) with a frame rate of 30 fps for general video consultations (MBS Online). Where clinical examination via video is required—such as dermatology—higher resolutions may be necessary. Manual exposure controls help manage lighting issues, especially in mixed-light environments.
- Audio clarity: Use microphones with noise suppression and echo cancellation to filter out environmental noise. Headsets with boom mics often outperform built-in device microphones.
- Bandwidth: For stable, lag-free sessions, aim for at least 2.5 Mbps upload and download speeds for full HD video calls (Health Direct). Network redundancy—such as a backup 4G/5G hotspot—can protect against unexpected outages.
- Routine testing: Implement a weekly 5-minute check of camera focus, microphone clarity, lighting, and internet speed. Document results to identify trends and address performance degradation early.
Mobility & Workstation Flexibility
Telehealth has evolved into a mobile-first service, moving beyond static office spaces. Clinicians now require portable, adaptable solutions that can travel between wards, departments, and community settings.
Workstations on Wheels (WOWs) and tablet carts both serve this purpose, bringing essential clinical tools directly to the point of care. While WOWs remain invaluable for general hospital workflows and can support telehealth consultations when required, tablet carts offer a more streamlined, purpose-built solution for delivering telehealth services.
Tablet Carts
Tablet carts take mobility to the next level, providing a lightweight, highly portable option for telehealth in both inpatient and community care. They can be quickly deployed to any location, making them particularly effective for facilities where space is at a premium and consultations are frequent.
Key advantages for telehealth delivery include:
- Enhanced ergonomics: Adjustable stands allow screens to be positioned at the optimal height and angle, reducing strain on the neck, shoulders, and back during extended consultations.
- Improved patient connection: Adjustable positioning supports better eye contact during telehealth calls, helping to foster rapport and clear communication.
- Fast, effective cleaning: Smooth surfaces and minimal touchpoints enable quick disinfection between patients, supporting stringent infection-control protocols.
- Space efficiency: Their compact footprint makes them ideal for small consulting areas.
- Easy manoeuvrability: Lightweight frames and smooth-rolling casters allow clinicians to move effortlessly through tight spaces and narrow hallways.
- Continuous readiness: Secure docking and integrated charging ensure devices are powered and ready for use throughout the day.
- Uninterrupted access to clinical tools: Wireless connectivity provides seamless access to EHRs, diagnostic imaging, and telehealth platforms at the point of care.
Hybrid Configurations
For some healthcare services, a hybrid approach delivers the best results—pairing fixed telehealth workstations in designated spaces with mobile WOWs or tablet carts for on-demand consultations. This ensures the right equipment is always ready, whether sessions are planned in advance or arranged at short notice, maximising flexibility and care delivery.
Integration with Clinical Systems
A telehealth workstation should not be an isolated tool—it should function as a fully integrated extension of the clinical environment.
Best practices:
- EMR interoperability: Choose hardware and software that integrate seamlessly with electronic medical record (EMR) platforms, allowing clinicians to view and update patient data—such as medication history, lab results, and imaging—without leaving the consultation interface.
- Minimising screen switching: Reducing the need to click through multiple systems helps keep the clinician’s attention on the patient, improving engagement and reducing the risk of errors.
- Peripheral integration: Consider integration with diagnostic tools such as digital stethoscopes, otoscopes, or dermatoscopes where applicable, ensuring results feed directly into the patient record.
Privacy & Security Compliance
In Australia, telehealth must meet the same privacy, security, and confidentiality requirements as in-person care. Failure to safeguard patient data risks breaching both legal obligations and patient trust.
Compliance essentials:
- Legal frameworks: Telehealth providers must adhere to the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs), particularly APP 11, which governs the protection of personal information from misuse, interference, loss, and unauthorised access.
- Technical safeguards: Use platforms with end-to-end encryption and two-factor authentication for clinician access. Avoid consumer-grade video apps without healthcare-specific compliance features.
- Secure environments: For home-based clinicians, ensure consultations are conducted in a private space with no risk of accidental disclosure through background noise or visible documents.
Conclusion
A smart telehealth workstation is more than posture-friendly—it’s mobile, secure, integrated, and responsive to diverse clinical scenarios. By incorporating ergonomics, audio-visual clarity, system integration, privacy compliance, and above all—mobility through WOWs and tablet carts—healthcare providers can significantly elevate both clinician satisfaction and patient experience.
Debetrek leads the way in providing tailored mobile telehealth solutions. With options ranging from lightweight tablet carts to highly customised WOWs, all maintained by responsive service teams under ISO 9001 standards, Debetrek equips healthcare organisations to thrive in modern virtual care settings.
