Table 2.

Persons using GP Medicare Benefits Schedule services and telehealth

CharacteristicProportion using GP services, % (95% CI)Proportion using at least one GP telehealth service, % (95% CI)
Q2–Q4 2019Q2–Q4 2020ChangeQ2–Q4 2020
Total89.5 (89.5 to 89.5)85.5 (85.4 to 85.5)−4.048.7 (48.6 to 48.7)
Age at Jan 1 2019, yearsa
  3–1485.3 (85.2 to 85.3)75.9 (75.9 to 76.0)−9.430.8 (30.8 to 30.9)
  15–2485.2 (85.2 to 85.3)80.7 (80.7 to 80.8)−4.541.8 (41.7 to 41.9)
  25–4487.8 (87.8 to 87.8)84.1 (84.1 to 84.2)−3.749.0 (48.9 to 49.0)
  45–6991.5 (91.5 to 91.6)90.0 (90.0 to 90.0)−1.553.8 (53.8 to 53.8)
  ≥7096.8 (96.8 to 96.8)92.6 (92.6 to 92.6)−4.262.4 (62.4 to 62.5)
Sexa
  Male86.8 (86.8 to 86.8)82.3 (82.2 to 82.3)−4.542.6 (42.6 to 42.6)
  Female92.0 (92.0 to 92.0)88.4 (88.4 to 88.5)−3.654.3 (54.2 to 54.3)
Educationb
  University degree90.6 (90.6 to 90.7)87.6 (87.6 to 87.7)−3.054.0 (53.9 to 54.0)
  High school Year 12 or diploma/certificate91.5 (91.5 to 91.5)89.0 (89.0 to 89.0)−2.554.2 (54.2 to 54.3)
  No high school Year 12 or diploma/certificate92.0 (91.9 to 92.0)89.4 (89.4 to 89.4)−2.653.6 (53.6 to 53.7)
Income, A$
  ≥104 00088.6 (88.5 to 88.6)84.6 (84.6 to 84.7)−4.048.1 (48.1 to 48.2)
  65 000–<104 00089.6 (89.6 to 89.6)85.6 (85.6 to 85.6)−4.049.1 (49.1 to 49.2)
  26 000–<65 00089.7 (89.6 to 89.7)85.7 (85.7 to 85.7)−4.048.9 (48.9 to 49.0)
  1–<26 00090.0 (89.9 to 90.0)85.9 (85.8 to 85.9)−4.148.6 (48.6 to 48.7)
Region
  Metropolitan90.1 (90.1 to 90.2)85.9 (85.9 to 85.9)−4.249.6 (49.5 to 49.6)
  Inner regional88.3 (88.3 to 88.3)84.8 (84.8 to 84.9)−3.549.4 (49.4 to 49.5)
  Outer regional/remote86.8 (86.8 to 86.9)83.5 (83.4 to 83.5)−3.340.9 (40.8 to 40.9)
Marital statusc
  Partnered91.1 (91.1 to 91.1)88.5 (88.5 to 88.5)−2.653.5 (53.4 to 53.5)
  Single90.5 (90.5 to 90.5)87.2 (87.1 to 87.2)−3.352.7 (52.7 to 52.8)
English proficiencyc
  Proficient90.8 (90.8 to 90.9)88.0 (88.0 to 88.0)−2.853.6 (53.6 to 53.7)
  Not proficient92.0 (91.9 to 92.1)87.5 (87.4 to 87.6)−4.540.5 (40.4 to 40.6)
Employment statusc
  Employed90.6 (90.5 to 90.6)87.7 (87.7 to 87.8)−2.852.8 (52.8 to 52.8)
  Unemployed/underemployed91.7 (91.7 to 91.8)88.5 (88.5 to 88.6)−3.254.0 (54.0 to 54.1)
  • a Predicted estimated proportions are adjusted for age (in 10-year groups) and sex.

  • b Only those aged ≥25 years at census were included in the analysis (n = 13 179 119).

  • c Only those aged ≥18 years at census were included in the analysis (n = 14 789 610).