An introduction to the toolkit
What, who and why introduce video consulting?
More people now communicate through the internet, for example, at work, socially, shopping and banking. Increasing demands on primary care services mean that more innovative ways of providing patient care are being considered, such as conducting video consultations through the internet.
Video consultation aims to be more time efficient for healthcare professionals and patients, and to increase accessibility to primary care for working and housebound patients.
The programme that NHS Scotland is implementing for video consulting is called Attend Anywhere. It works similar to Skype in terms of WiFi/4G connection. Additional features include the ability to queue patients supporting clinical flow processes.
Our research study explored the use of video consultation (VC) in follow up consultations and provided insights into how to run a service in general practice. This toolkit has been designed to translate our research findings into practical advice on how to set up video consultations.
Who is it for?
- Any patient with the right equipment and technological skills that does not need a physical examination.
I have a slight issue with my hearing so I find speaking on the phone really difficult because I can’t see someone’s face so therefore I can't use lip reading to help me… the fact that I could see the doctors face and get the contextual cues from that just made it a lot easier for me
What does the practice hope to achieve from introducing VC?
- Improved patient satisfaction
- Remote consulting which is better than telephone calls
- Time saving
I could recognise them, I knew exactly who they were, and I think it was easier to re-establish rapport that you’d built from the first consultation than it was over the telephone
Which patients showed most interest?
- Our study showed that younger, tech savvy patients were most interested
You are actually seeing a face; it makes it feel a lot… friendlier
Which patients have most potential to benefit?
- Working patients
- Housebound patients
My GP’s surgery is on the opposite side of town from where I work so it is difficult for me to get out to go in for a face to face consultation so it seems like a great way for busy people or people who maybe can't travel to still get that face to face time with their doctor