Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The pandemic limited our capacity for face-to-face (F2F) outpatient clinics and therefore we set up virtual phone consultation clinics (VPC). Our study evaluated patients' and clinicians' perspectives on our VPC and identified areas for improvement. METHODS: We designed a questionnaire for patients and a questionnaire for clinicians. These included questions on satisfaction with VPC, practical aspects of VPC and suggestions for improvement. Between December 2021 and February 2022, one hundred patients and 11 clinicians completed these questionnaires. RESULTS: The average satisfaction score for the patients' last VPC attendance was 4.42/5 (SD 0.90). The main benefits of VPC from the perspective of patients were: reduced risk of infection, the convenience of not needing to travel and increased efficiency. A large proportion of the patients were unaware that an F2F clinic attendance could be requested instead of a VPC. 3 patients suggested that we could do video calls. 52 patients indicated that they would prefer an F2F attendance for their next review.The average satisfaction score for our clinicians was 4.19 (SD 0.98). Our clinicians believed that the advantages of VPC were increased efficiency, reduced risk of infection and lower cost. Clinicians felt that patients who needed to be told about normal scan results and patients who could not travel were most suitable for VPC. The most notable disadvantage of VPC was the inability to perform a physical examination and our clinicians felt that this could delay treatment. Some clinicians felt that giving patients a written summary of the VPC would be beneficial. CONCLUSION: Our patients and staff were satisfied with our VPC programme and understand its advantages. Our study provided justification for the continued use of VPC.