‘Face time’ for the first time: Video communication between relatives and junior doctors in the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Working on a COVID-19 ward presents a number of challenges to staff, with communication between families, patients and staff being highlighted as a key challenge. Novel methods are needed to overcome the barriers presented by COVID-19, with many turning to technology to offer solutions. Recognising these challenges as an area for improvement on our own ward, we sought to introduce new methods of communication to improve patient, relative and staff understanding and wellbeing. Through our own experiences and a discussion of the literature on this topic, we have identified some key themes which we believe can assist in the development of communication strategies in the developing pandemic.

Experiences of healthcare professionals, patients and families with video calls to stimulate patient‐ and family‐centred care during hospitalization: A scoping review

“…Besides physical proximity, nowadays, families could also be involved in patients' hospital admission using video calls. These calls facilitate daily communication and information sharing between patient, family and healthcare professionals resulting in a better-perceived quality of care (Maaskant et al, 2021;Negro et al, 2020;White et al, 2021). By means of visual contact with family, video calls can also be used to reduce patients' anxiety, loneliness and social isolation (Dol et al, 2017;Kebapcı & Türkmen, 2022;Nicholas et al, 2011;Noone et al, 2020).…”