Online Consultation

Dociva provides access to online healthcare services for appropriate non-emergency health concerns, where available. Through our platform, patients may request medical certificates, online consultations, prescription support and referrals, subject to clinical review by an Australian registered medical practitioner.

Online healthcare can be convenient, but it is not suitable for every situation. A certificate, prescription, referral, treatment recommendation or other clinical outcome is not guaranteed and will only be provided where the practitioner considers it clinically appropriate.

If you have chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, signs of a stroke, heavy bleeding, collapse, seizure, sudden swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue, thoughts of self-harm, or any symptom that feels serious or life-threatening, call 000 immediately or attend the nearest emergency department.

What is an Online Consultation?

An online consultation, also known as telehealth, allows a patient to communicate with a healthcare practitioner through an online platform, phone or video where clinically appropriate.

Online consultations may be suitable for certain non-emergency health concerns, simple medical questions, medical certificate requests, prescription-related requests, referral requests or follow-up discussions. Suitability depends on the symptoms, the information provided and the practitioner's clinical judgement.

Some health concerns require an in-person assessment, physical examination, urgent care or ongoing management by a regular GP. If the practitioner cannot safely assess your concern online, they may decline the request and recommend that you seek care from another healthcare provider.

Book Online Consultation

Our Online Healthcare Services

Dociva is designed to support a range of online healthcare requests, where available. These may include medical certificate requests, online consultations, prescription requests and referral requests.

Medical certificate requests may be suitable for short-term sick leave, carer's leave or study-related absence where the condition can be appropriately assessed online. Certificates are only issued if approved by the reviewing practitioner.

Prescription and referral requests, where available, are also subject to clinical review. A practitioner may approve the request, decline the request, request further information, require phone or video contact, recommend an alternative pathway or advise in-person care.

How It Works

Using Dociva starts with selecting the service you need and providing accurate information about your symptoms, circumstances and request. The information you provide helps the practitioner decide whether your request can be safely assessed online.

For any Dociva service, the doctor may require phone or video contact before making a decision if they consider it clinically necessary. Please ensure your contact details are correct and that you are available if further assessment is required.

After reviewing your request, the practitioner may approve the request, decline the request, request more information, issue an appropriate clinical document where suitable, or recommend that you seek in-person or urgent medical care.

Apply for a Medical Certificate

If you are seeking a medical certificate, you can apply through our online form. Your request will be reviewed by the next available Australian registered medical practitioner.

Submitting an application does not guarantee that a certificate will be issued. A certificate can only be issued if the practitioner considers it clinically appropriate after reviewing your information and completing any further assessment required.

Dociva does not provide backdated medical certificates. A certificate can only be considered from the date of the clinical assessment.

One Time Services

Benefits of Online Consultations

Online consultations can make healthcare more accessible for people who may have difficulty attending a clinic in person due to work, study, caregiving responsibilities, location or other practical barriers.

They may also reduce unnecessary travel and help patients access timely guidance for suitable non-emergency concerns. However, online healthcare has limitations and is not appropriate for every symptom, condition or circumstance.

Where an online assessment is not suitable, the practitioner may recommend in-person care, urgent care, emergency care or follow-up with your regular GP.

Who Can Benefit?

Online consultations may benefit patients seeking support for appropriate non-emergency healthcare requests that can be safely assessed through telehealth.

This may include people seeking a short-term medical certificate, general medical advice, a prescription-related request, a referral request or guidance about whether further care may be needed.

Online consultations may not be suitable for emergencies, severe symptoms, complex medical conditions, chronic disease management, workplace injury claims, insurance reports, legal reports or situations requiring a physical examination.

Security and Privacy

Dociva takes privacy and security seriously. We take reasonable steps to protect personal and health information and handle information in accordance with our privacy obligations.

Information provided through Dociva may be used for clinical review, service delivery, payment processing, technical support, audit, dispute handling, regulatory compliance and other purposes described in our Privacy Policy.

Patients should ensure the information they provide is accurate, complete and submitted from a secure device and internet connection where possible.

Getting Started

To get started, choose the Dociva service that best matches your needs and complete the required online questions. Please provide honest and accurate information so the practitioner can assess your request appropriately.

After submission, your request will be reviewed by the next available practitioner. If further information, phone contact or video contact is required, the practitioner or support team may contact you using the details provided in your application.

If your symptoms worsen, change, persist or you become concerned about your condition, you should seek further medical advice promptly and should not wait for an online request to be reviewed.

Medical Certificates

Why Choose Dociva?

Dociva is focused on providing a simple, secure and clinically responsible pathway for appropriate non-emergency healthcare requests.

Our process is designed to support practitioner-led clinical decision-making, patient safety and clear communication. We aim to make suitable healthcare requests easier to access while recognising that some matters require in-person care or urgent medical attention.

Whether you are requesting a medical certificate, online consultation, prescription support or referral support, the outcome will depend on the practitioner's independent clinical judgement and the suitability of your request for online assessment.