The published evidence to support the use of video consultation continues to grow.
Clinical outcomes
Primary Care: Eddie Donaghy, Helen Atherton, et al. Acceptability, benefits, and challenges of video consulting: a qualitative study in primary care. J Gen Pract 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp19X704141
Arun Thiyagarajan, Calum Grant, Frances Griffiths and Helen Atherton. Exploring patients' and clinicians' experiences of video consultations in primary care: a systematic scoping review. BJGPOpen 2020; 4 (1): bjgpopen20X101020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgpopen20X101020
Dentistry: Patel, T., Wong, J. The role of real-time interactive video consultations in dental practice during the recovery and restoration phase of the COVID-19 outbreak. Br Dent J 229, 196–200 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41415-020-1918-7
Occupational Therapy: Angela Alty, Clinical lead stroke rehabilitation occupational therapist at Lancashire Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust published "The digital solution: environmental assessment for acute hospital discharge" in June 2020s OTN. Accessed here. For more Digital Occupational Literature and Resources please visit the Royal College of Occupational Therapy website.
Guidelines for Virtual Home Assessment Tools. 19.01.23 National Institute for Health & Care Research. doi: 10.3310/nihrevidence_56294
Physiotherapy: Case studies from Chartered Society of Physiotherapy members who demonstrate some of those digital solutions they've had to employ to deliver a physiotherapy service can be found here.
Podiatry: "This article provides an insight into the practical considerations of implementing virtual wound management interventions and provides an overview of the patient experience, governance, clinician wellbeing and cost considerations." Exposito C, Allan F,Greenwood N et al (2020) COVID-19 as a catalyst for change:virtual foot protection. The Diabetic Foot Journal 23(3): 36–44. Accessed here.
Speech & Language Therapy: This article describes how video is used to deliver both inpatient and outpatient services plus a video featuring both therapists and patients describing the outcome and impact. Accessed here.
Dietetics: Cloutier A, Bond A, Taylor MI, et al. Successful implementation of remote video consultations for patients receiving home parenteral nutrition in a national UK centre. Frontline Gastroenterology 2020;11:280-284. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/flgastro-2019-101257
Service Outcomes
Smith C, Kubanova B, Ahmed F, et al. (December 07, 2022) The Effectiveness of Remote Consultations During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Tool for Modernising the National Health Service (NHS). Cureus 14(12). Accessed here.
Urgent care services - Near Me in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde's flow navigation centre: good practice example. 18th July 2022. Scottish Government. Accessed here.
Morrison C, Beattie M, Wherton J, et al. Testing and implementing video consulting for outpatient appointments: using quality improvement system thinking and codesign principles. BMJ Open Quality 2021;10. Accessed here.
Academic Near Me Reviews
Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Near Me video consulting service: evaluation 2020 - summary report. 23rd March 2021. Scottish Government. Accessed here.
Wherton J, Greenhalgh T, Shaw SE. Expanding Video Consultation Services at Pace and Scale in Scotland During the COVID-19 Pandemic: National Mixed Methods Case Study. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23(10): Accessed here.
Environmental impact
Outpatient video consultations can deliver a range of benefits to patients and the NHS, according to a research by Edge Health published 14 September 2021. Accessed here.
Remote Consultations: Do they reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions? Your Guide to Calculating the Answer (2022 version) including a carbon calculator for avoided patient travel. Accessed here.
Pickard Strange M, Booth A, Akiki M, Wieringa S, Shaw S. The Role of Virtual Consulting in Developing Environmentally Sustainable Health Care: Systematic Literature Review. J Med Internet Res 2023;25:e44 Accessed here.
Rothwell E, Surtees R, Allwood D, Gopfert A. Virtual appointments—embracing the opportunity to reduce carbon emissions mustn’t widen health inequalities. BMJ 2023;381:p1169. Accessed here.
Digital capability of the future and current workforce
Seeballuck, C., Beswick, M., Donnelly, J. et al. Remote access to clinics: build back better. Br Dent J 231, 704–708 (2021). Accessed here.
Wetzlmair L-C, O’Carroll V,O’Malley AS, Murray S. Teleconsultation in health and social care professions education: A systematic review. ClinTeach. 2022. Accessed here.