Understanding the benefits and limitations of mixing virtual and face-to-face consultations to outpatient palliative care services; a mixed-methods study

Abstract Background The Covid-19 pandemic led to a rapid increase in the use of virtual consultations across healthcare. Post-pandemic, this use is expected to continue alongside the resumption of traditional face-to-face clinics. At present, research exploring when to use different consultation for...

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Main Authors: Caradoc Morris, David Waterman, Lesley Anne Henson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:BMC Palliative Care
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-024-01578-1
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author Caradoc Morris
David Waterman
Lesley Anne Henson
author_facet Caradoc Morris
David Waterman
Lesley Anne Henson
author_sort Caradoc Morris
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The Covid-19 pandemic led to a rapid increase in the use of virtual consultations across healthcare. Post-pandemic, this use is expected to continue alongside the resumption of traditional face-to-face clinics. At present, research exploring when to use different consultation formats for palliative care patients is limited. Aim To understand the benefits and limitations of a blended approach to outpatient palliative care services, to provide recommendations for future care. Methods A mixed-methods study. Component 1: an online survey of UK palliative care physicians. Component 2: a qualitative interview study exploring patients’ and caregivers’ experiences of different consultation formats. Findings from both components were integrated, and recommendations for clinical practice identified. Results We received 48 survey responses and conducted 8 qualitative interviews. Survey respondents reported that face-to-face consultations were appropriate/necessary for physical examinations (n = 48) and first consultations (n = 39). Video consultations were considered appropriate for monitoring stable symptoms (n = 37), and at the patient’s request (n = 42). Patients and caregivers felt face-to-face consultations aided communication. A blended approach increased flexibility and reduced travel burden. Conclusions A blended outpatient palliative care service was viewed positively by physicians, patients and caregivers. We identified 13 clinical practice recommendations for the use of different consultation formats.
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spelling doaj-art-0e97d2463eed44f68d1bdfad55f94e2b2024-11-17T12:53:41ZengBMCBMC Palliative Care1472-684X2024-11-0123111110.1186/s12904-024-01578-1Understanding the benefits and limitations of mixing virtual and face-to-face consultations to outpatient palliative care services; a mixed-methods studyCaradoc Morris0David Waterman1Lesley Anne Henson2Bury HospiceSt Ann’s HospiceSt Ann’s HospiceAbstract Background The Covid-19 pandemic led to a rapid increase in the use of virtual consultations across healthcare. Post-pandemic, this use is expected to continue alongside the resumption of traditional face-to-face clinics. At present, research exploring when to use different consultation formats for palliative care patients is limited. Aim To understand the benefits and limitations of a blended approach to outpatient palliative care services, to provide recommendations for future care. Methods A mixed-methods study. Component 1: an online survey of UK palliative care physicians. Component 2: a qualitative interview study exploring patients’ and caregivers’ experiences of different consultation formats. Findings from both components were integrated, and recommendations for clinical practice identified. Results We received 48 survey responses and conducted 8 qualitative interviews. Survey respondents reported that face-to-face consultations were appropriate/necessary for physical examinations (n = 48) and first consultations (n = 39). Video consultations were considered appropriate for monitoring stable symptoms (n = 37), and at the patient’s request (n = 42). Patients and caregivers felt face-to-face consultations aided communication. A blended approach increased flexibility and reduced travel burden. Conclusions A blended outpatient palliative care service was viewed positively by physicians, patients and caregivers. We identified 13 clinical practice recommendations for the use of different consultation formats.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-024-01578-1Referral and consultationOutpatientsPalliative careRemote consultation
spellingShingle Caradoc Morris
David Waterman
Lesley Anne Henson
Understanding the benefits and limitations of mixing virtual and face-to-face consultations to outpatient palliative care services; a mixed-methods study
BMC Palliative Care
Referral and consultation
Outpatients
Palliative care
Remote consultation
title Understanding the benefits and limitations of mixing virtual and face-to-face consultations to outpatient palliative care services; a mixed-methods study
title_full Understanding the benefits and limitations of mixing virtual and face-to-face consultations to outpatient palliative care services; a mixed-methods study
title_fullStr Understanding the benefits and limitations of mixing virtual and face-to-face consultations to outpatient palliative care services; a mixed-methods study
title_full_unstemmed Understanding the benefits and limitations of mixing virtual and face-to-face consultations to outpatient palliative care services; a mixed-methods study
title_short Understanding the benefits and limitations of mixing virtual and face-to-face consultations to outpatient palliative care services; a mixed-methods study
title_sort understanding the benefits and limitations of mixing virtual and face to face consultations to outpatient palliative care services a mixed methods study
topic Referral and consultation
Outpatients
Palliative care
Remote consultation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12904-024-01578-1
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AT lesleyannehenson understandingthebenefitsandlimitationsofmixingvirtualandfacetofaceconsultationstooutpatientpalliativecareservicesamixedmethodsstudy