If you have lived with ongoing pain for months or years, you already know how much of your week it touches: sleep, work, family plans, even how long you can sit at a desk. A chronic pain consult is a chance to lay all of that out for a practitioner who has time to listen. The hard part is often knowing what to say once the call starts. This guide covers what to talk about, what to jot down beforehand, and how booking works. At CannElevate, the initial telehealth consult is $29, follow-ups are $19, and no referral is needed.
Key takeaways
- A consult is about 20 minutes, so a one-page summary of your history keeps the conversation focused.
- Talk about how pain affects your daily life, not just where it hurts. That context matters to the practitioner.
- Bring what you have already tried, your other health conditions and the questions you want answered.
Why a chronic pain consult needs a little preparation
Healthdirect describes chronic pain as pain that lasts for at least three months, and notes it can make it hard to work, exercise and socialise, and can affect sleep and mood. Because it builds up over a long time, the story behind it is often long too: several appointments, scans, letters and things you have tried along the way. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare publishes national data on chronic pain in Australia if you want the bigger picture.
In a short consult, it is easy to spend most of the time on one detail and forget the thing you really wanted to raise. A few minutes of preparation means you and your practitioner can get to the heart of it quickly. You can see each step of the process on our how it works page.
Six things to talk about in your consult
- Your pain history. When it started, whether there was an injury or event, and how it has changed over time. Rough dates are fine.
- What it feels like and where. Words such as aching, burning, sharp or stiff help, along with where it sits and whether it moves around.
- How it affects your days. Sleep, work, exercise, driving, caring for others, social plans. Practical examples, like “I can sit for about 30 minutes before I need to stand”, say a lot.
- Patterns you have noticed. Times of day, activities, weather or stress that seem to make a difference, better or worse.
- What you have already tried. Past appointments, physio or exercise programs, and any other approaches. Include what you are doing now, so nothing is missed.
- What you want from the conversation. It might be understanding your options, getting a second view, or planning next steps. Saying it early helps the practitioner use the time well.
Ready to talk it through? Book a $29 telehealth consult. No referral needed.
A one-page summary to write before the call
You do not need a detailed diary. A single page, on paper or in your phone’s notes, is enough. Try these headings:
- The basics: where the pain is, when it began, and a typical day on a scale of 0 to 10.
- A good day and a hard day: one or two lines on what each looks like for you.
- Your health background: other conditions, past surgery, allergies and anything your regular GP has noted.
- Your care so far: practitioners you have seen and roughly when, plus any letters or results you can share.
- Your questions: two or three, written in your own words.
Some people find it useful to track their week for a few days before the consult, noting activity and rest. If you are curious about that idea, our article on pacing and activity explains the basics. For the full list of documents to have nearby, see what to have ready before your telehealth consult.
Phone or video, and bringing a support person
Both formats cover the same conversation with an AHPRA-registered practitioner. Phone is simple if sitting at a screen is uncomfortable, because you can lie down, walk around or change position as you need. Video works well if you want to show where the pain is or share a document on screen.
You are welcome to have a partner, family member or carer with you. They can take notes, remind you of something you forgot to mention, or describe how pain affects things at home. Let the practitioner know at the start who is on the call. Healthdirect’s guide to virtual care has more general tips on preparing for an online consult.
What happens after the consult
At the end of the call, your practitioner will talk you through any next steps and options for you to consider. Write down anything you want to remember, and ask if something is unclear. Ongoing pain usually means an ongoing conversation, so many people book a follow-up to check in. Follow-up consults are $19 and are booked the same way. Our guide to follow-up consults explains timing, and how telehealth consults work walks through the call itself.
Already with another clinic and thinking about a change? Our switching clinics page lists what to bring so your history comes with you, and compare clinic fees sets out the costs side by side. If someone you know is in a similar spot, our refer a friend page explains how to pass on the details. In Western Australia, you can also read our chronic pain telehealth consult page for WA.
What to expect when you book with CannElevate
CannElevate offers Australia-wide telehealth. Phone or video, from wherever you are. Your initial consult with an AHPRA-registered practitioner is $29, and follow-ups are $19. Consults are privately billed, there is no referral needed, and a Medicare card number or IHI is required to book. Our team is available Monday to Friday, 8am–4pm AWST. You can check any practitioner’s registration on the Ahpra public register. When you are ready, book a consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What happens in a chronic pain consult by telehealth?
You talk with an AHPRA-registered practitioner by phone or video for about 20 minutes. They ask about your history, how pain affects your days, what you have already tried and what you would like to focus on. Any options are discussed with you, and you can ask questions at any point.
What should I write down before a chronic pain consult?
A short summary helps: when the pain started, where you feel it, what makes it better or worse, how it affects sleep, work and daily tasks, and a list of past appointments and current health conditions. Two or three questions you want answered are worth noting too.
Do I need a referral for a chronic pain consult?
No referral is needed to book with CannElevate. Bringing letters or notes from other practitioners can still be useful, because it gives your practitioner a fuller picture of your history.
How much does a chronic pain consult cost?
The initial telehealth consult is $29 and follow-ups are $19. Consults are privately billed. You will need a Medicare card number or an Individual Healthcare Identifier (IHI) to complete booking.
Sources
- Healthdirect: Chronic pain
- AIHW: Chronic pain in Australia
- Healthdirect: Virtual care clinics
- Ahpra: Register of practitioners
Talk to a practitioner, from wherever you are
$29 telehealth consult, no referral needed, Australia-wide. Medicare number or IHI required. Consults privately billed. Phone or video with an AHPRA-registered practitioner; follow-ups are $19. Book now.
See how it works · telehealth, no referral · compare clinic fees · switching clinics? · refer a friend
