Two leading cardiology organizations in Australia and New Zealand are advocating for the permanent integration of telehealth into cardiovascular care. The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) and the Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association (ACRA) have issued a position statement detailing guidelines for healthcare providers on the appropriate use of virtual consultations in conjunction with in-person services.
The call to action emphasizes the need for telehealth to become a complementary component of cardiovascular service delivery, rather than a temporary solution adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The position statement highlights the necessity of implementing telehealth with evidence-based, practical guidance across all areas of adult cardiovascular care.
The Importance of Permanent Telehealth Integration
According to CSANZ and ACRA, the long-term success of telehealth integration will rely on patient-centered, multidisciplinary care models that include general practice, specialist cardiology, nursing, and allied health services. Clinicians are urged to evaluate patient needs and circumstances to determine the most suitable delivery models while adhering to professional and regulatory standards.
For telehealth to become a sustainable component of cardiovascular care, the organizations stress the need for robust consultation infrastructure, such as video-enabled platforms and secure clinical environments. Adequate connectivity for both patients and providers is also essential.
“Delivering sustainable virtual care will require fit-for-purpose consultation infrastructure, including video-enabled platforms, secure clinical environments, and adequate connectivity for patients and providers.”
Expanding Telehealth’s Role in Cardiovascular Management
The position statement also underscores the potential of telehealth in secondary prevention and chronic disease management, including cardiac rehabilitation and psychosocial support programs. The growing use of remote physiological monitoring and telecardiology diagnostics, such as wearable devices and home-based vital sign tracking, is highlighted as a key factor in supporting ongoing cardiovascular management.
Ensuring equitable access to telehealth services is identified as a core principle for sustainable expansion. This includes providing culturally safe, inclusive, and digitally supported services. The statement advocates for telehealth models that are co-designed with input from patients, carers, clinicians, and community stakeholders to enhance accessibility and service responsiveness.
“The statement authors emphasize the need for telehealth models co-designed and developed with patients, carers, clinicians, and community stakeholders to improve accessibility and service responsiveness.”
Challenges and Opportunities in Telehealth Implementation
Critical enablers of effective telehealth delivery include workforce capability, digital literacy, training, and organizational readiness. Integration into existing systems and workflows, along with sustained infrastructure investment, is crucial. Ongoing evaluation frameworks are necessary to measure outcomes, utilization, patient experience, and costs, ensuring telehealth remains a viable model for cardiovascular care.
The push for permanent telehealth integration comes as the use of virtual care models stabilizes post-pandemic. Health systems and clinicians are now focused on long-term funding, clinical governance, and the appropriate integration of virtual care into routine cardiovascular service delivery across Australia and New Zealand.
“The position statement was published in Heart Lung Circulation and involved 38 authors from the region.”
The Path Forward
The CSANZ and ACRA’s initiative reflects a broader trend towards embracing digital health solutions in the wake of the pandemic. As healthcare systems worldwide grapple with the challenges of modernizing care delivery, the successful integration of telehealth into cardiovascular services could serve as a model for other specialties.
Moving forward, the focus will be on overcoming barriers to implementation, ensuring equitable access, and maintaining high standards of care. As telehealth becomes an integral part of the healthcare landscape, ongoing collaboration between stakeholders will be essential to realize its full potential.
