The College represents members’ views with government and health sector organisations on issues relating to general practice, the health system and the health of New Zealanders.
On 12 September 2017 we issued a position statement on telehealth. The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (the College) advocates the adoption and effective use of technology (such as telehealth and technology-based health services) to assist GPs and rural hospital doctors to provide safe, quality health care, improve health equity and increase service efficiency.
The College is of the view that the use of technology in general practice should support the ongoing relationship between the patient and the general practice team, complementing in-person consultations but not replacing them. Accordingly, the adoption and use of technology should be driven and led by the general practice team. The College agrees with the following statement by Dr Jordan Shlain:
“Health care is a people business that needs technology. It is not a technology business that just needs people.”
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