46 • Specialist clinics
Top tips to make the most of video surgical consultations
Healthcare Innovations • Sunday 26 July 2020
Video consultations have been around for some time, but their use in surgery hadn’t gained much traction until the coronavirus pandemic
In the wake of the pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns, doctors across the world have had to look at new ways to deliver healthcare and keep in touch with new and existing patients. In order to keep patients safe by allowing them to stay home and avoid unneces- sary hospital visits, traditional face-to- face visits telephone and video consul- tations have come to the forefront. Telephone consultations allow
only the delivery of verbal informa- tion, while video consultations allow surgeons and patients the opportu- nity to see each other, use both verbal and non-verbal cues, share both verbal and visual information and allow some clinical examination. For both patients and surgeons, the
move to video consultations wasn’t an easy one. Traditional face-to-face visits have very few barriers to infor- mation transfer and allow the patient and surgeon to build that professional trust that’s required to take a patient through the journey to recovery. Patients and surgeons have had to grow accustomed to the technology; patients have had to get all
their
existing information in digital format instead of bringing paper copies to an appointment; and surgeons have had to adapt their history-taking and clin- ical examination as best as possible to account for being unable to physically lay hands on the patient.
Mr Nick Ferran, a consultant
shoulder and elbow surgeon, shares the following five top tips for patients looking to make the most of a consultation: 1. “ Get all your relevant medical infor- mation in digital format and send
it to the surgeon prior to your appointment; taking photos of pages of previous clinic letters or referral letters would do. Discuss with your surgeon’s practice manager how any x-rays or scans can be transferred, too. Tis allows your surgeon to do some prep before your appointment.
2. “Make a list of all the questions you may want to ask during your consultation. Even in the situa- tion of face-to-face consultations patients can leave thinking “Gosh, I forgot to ask this”. With the chal- lenges of grappling with new tech- nology, forgetting is even more possible — so write those questions down. If you can, have a relative sit in with you during the consulta- tion so you have an extra set of ears. Your surgeon should still produce a clinic letter for your video consulta- tion so there’s a record of what was discussed.
3. “Test out your computer, micro- phone and speakers prior to the appointment. Video consultations can only really be effective if the technology works, so try to have a video call with a friend or relative beforehand to make sure everything is working. Tis will mean there’s less likelihood of communication interruptions during your consulta- tion. Also remember to be on time for your video appointment as there are likely to be other patients in a queue after you.
4. “ Find a quiet, private room in which
to have your consulta-
tion. Face-to-face consultations often occur in clinics where there are closed rooms that maintain
“Video consultations may be convenient for both patients and surgeons as they reduce the need to travel. Patients’ access to healthcare, specialist opinions and treatment may also no longer be limited by geography”
your confidentiality. Treat a video consultation the same and find a quiet room in your home or office where you can have some privacy to discuss your medical history with little background noise to disturb you.
5. “Make sure the room you use is big enough for you to be examined. Your surgeon will still try to examine you over video in order to help with the diagnosis.
I do shoulder and
elbow consultations, so I require patients to stand back from their phone/tablet/computer in order for me to see how their arms move. Tis requires some space, so have a think about this when choosing your consultation space.”
Mr Ferran continues: “Even after
lockdowns are lifted, we expect that video consultations will persist. For some time to come, we’ll try to mini- mise patients’ needs to be exposed to hospital and clinic environments. Face-to-face appointments may be reserved for clinical examination and providing outpatient treatments,
while all other consultations — for taking histories, discussing results of tests and planning treatment — may be done by video. Beyond reducing exposure to hospitals, video consul- tations may be convenient for both patients and surgeons as they reduce the need to travel. Patients’ access to healthcare, specialist opinions and treatment may also no longer be limited by geography. As such, video is probably here to stay well into the future. A video consultation may also be the only way for us to see each other’s faces for some time, as patients are advised to wear face coverings and surgeons to wear face masks as part of their PPE. “If you have a shoulder or elbow
problem that you’re struggling with, do get in touch to arrange a video consultation,” adds Mr Ferran. “Our team will be there to navigate you through the process, so we can get you safely back on the road to recovery.”
Meet the expert Mr Nick Ferran is a consultant
shoulder and elbow surgeon in central and north west London with an interest in clavicle, shoulder and elbow injuries and pain.
T: 020 7164 6312
Twitter/Facebook/Instagram: @ShoulderLondon
shoulderandelbowlondon.com
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