The implementation of a virtual fracture clinic in Far North Queensland: satisfaction and success without travel

Abstract

Orthopaedic injuries often require timely management. This is challenging in remote regions, such as Far North Queensland, where patients must travel long distances. A Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) model offers a promising alternative, allowing remote management of select cases, and reducing travel burdens and healthcare costs. This prospective cohort study assessed the implementation of a VFC at Cairns Base Hospital. An orthopaedic registrar triaged patients to the VFC based on predefined criteria over a 5-week period. Primary outcomes included patient satisfaction, travel distance savings and cost savings. Secondary outcomes included the clinical outcomes of the VFC and the traditional clinic. Out of 514 referrals, 36.4% were managed through the VFC. Compared with the traditional clinic, VFC patients had shorter wait times, and 91.4% of those seen in the VFC could be discharged without further review. VFC patients were highly satisfied, with 75.2% indicating a willingness to undergo the same treatment again. The VFC also resulted in significant travel distance and cost savings. No patients in the VFC required surgery during the follow-up period. This study provides the first prospective evidence that registrar-led VFCs in regional Australia can safely deliver orthopaedic care with substantial logistical and economic benefits. With high patient satisfaction and no compromise in safety, this model could redefine how fracture care is delivered across Australia's vast rural landscape, helping close the gap in access for remote and Indigenous populations.