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Virtual consultations: delivering outpatient clinics in paediatric surgery during
the COVID-19 pandemic
#MMPMID34899879
Charnell AM
; Hannon E
; Burke D
; Iredale MR
; Sutcliffe JR
Ann Pediatr Surg
2020[]; 16
(1
): 49
PMID34899879
show ga
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many changes to clinical
practice, including the introduction of remote clinics. Those familiar with
remote clinics have reported benefits to their use, such as patient satisfaction
and cost benefits; however, ongoing challenges exist, including delivering
optimal patient-centred care. As a tertiary paediatric surgery unit in the UK,
completing remote clinics was a new experience for most of our surgical team. We
completed a service evaluation early into the COVID-19 pandemic aiming to define
and address issues when delivering remote clinics in paediatric surgery. Remote
clinics were observed (telephone and video), with follow-up calls to families
following the consultations. RESULTS: Eight paediatric surgeons were observed
during their remote clinics (telephone n = 6, video n = 2). Surgeons new to
remote clinics felt their consultations took longer and were reluctant to
discharge patients. The calls did not always occur at the appointed time, causing
some upset by parents. Prescription provision and outpatient investigations led
to some uncertainty within the surgical team. Families (n = 11) were called
following their child's appointment to determine how our remote clinics could be
optimised. The parents all liked remote clinics, either as an intermediate until
a face-to-face consultation or for continued care if appropriate.Our findings,
combined by discussions with relevant managers and departments, led to the
introduction of recommendations for the surgical team. An information sheet was
introduced for the families attending remote clinics, which encouraged them to
take notes before and during their consultations. CONCLUSIONS: There must be
strong support from management and appropriate departments for successful
integration of remote clinics. Surgical trainees and their training should be
considered when implementing remote clinics. Our learning from the pandemic may
support those considering integrating remote clinics in the future.
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