The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the deficiencies of the current healthcare system in terms of a disconnect between primary and tertiary care and increasing subspecialisation, the focus on acute episodic care rather than on prevention in a time where chronic disease prevails and an inefficient use of healthcare resources. Herein, we present the case for an alternative model of healthcare delivery - shared medical appointments - which are efficient, effective and empowering and can be transitioned to the virtual environment successfully. We highlight the barriers to implementation and how these can be overcome.
Keywords: COVID-19; Shared Medical Appointments; chronic disease; preventative health.
© 2022 The Authors. Internal Medicine Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Royal Australasian College of Physicians.