Insight from patients and healthcare professionals on the implementation of virtual clinics in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

IntroductionDuring COVID-19, the management of outpatient inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) changed from face-to-face (F2F) to telephone and video consultations across the UK. We surveyed patients with IBD and IBD healthcare professionals (HCPs) to evaluate the impact of this abrupt transition on patient and HCP satisfaction outcomes, including the barriers and enablers of this service.MethodsPatient satisfaction surveys were sent to patients who had a telephone consultation from May to July 2020. A second survey was sent to IBD HCPs across the UK. Questions from both surveys consisted of a mixture of multiple-choice options, ranking answers as well as short-answer questions.Results210 patients and 114 HCPs completed the survey. During COVID-19, there was a significantly greater use of telephone, video or a mixture of consultation. F2F consultations were consistently preferred by patients, with 50% of patients indicating they did not want the option of for video consultations. Patients were more likely to prefer a telephone consultation if they were stable and needed routine review. Significantly fewer HCPs (5.3%) intend to use F2F consultations alone, preferring the use of telephone (20.2%) or combinations of telephone/F2F (22.8%), telephone/video (4.4%) or combination of all three consultation types (34.2%). 63% indicated they intend to incorporate video consultations in the future.ConclusionTelephone and video consultations need to be balanced proportionately with F2F clinics to achieve both patient and HCP satisfaction. Further research needs to be done to explore the use of video medicine in patients with IBD.

Exploring the Experiences of Virtual Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care in Saskatchewan

“…Limitations with VC delivery are noted in the current study and others, including the inability to perform a hands-on physical examination ( Kumar et al, 2022 ; Lahat & Shatz, 2021 ). GCPs believe it is difficult to assess patient bodily or verbal cues in a virtual appointment and, as a result, they believe such appointments lead to less optimal management of a patient's condition ( Guillo et al, 2022 ).…”

“…Individuals with IBD and GCPs in the current study and the greater literature identify benefits of VC options, including reduced out-of-pocket expenses such as parking fees and fuel costs ( Guillo et al, 2022 ; Kumar et al, 2022 ). Both patients and providers also note other non-financial and time-savings benefits, including reduced waiting room times, having to take less time off work to attend appointments, and not having to arrange childcare ( Kumar et al, 2022 ; Shah et al, 2021 ). Having options for VC appointments also allows for greater flexibility when inclement weather and driving conditions are treacherous as well as greater accessibility for individuals living in rural areas ( Rohatinsky et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Generally, most participants in this study and in the extant literature are satisfied with VC delivery and felt that patient care needs are met using this type of technology, especially when an individual's disease activity is stable (i.e., in remission) and appointments are used for routine care and follow-up (Guillo et al, 2022;Kumar et al, 2022;Lahat & Shatz, 2021;Shah et al, 2021). From the perspectives of both patients and providers, the quality of care provided using VC technologies is believed to be equivalent to in-person care, especially for routine, non-emergent appointments (Guillo et al, 2022).…”

Gastroenterology 2022: Groundhog Day

“…Telemedicine has historically not been utilised effectively in secondary care, but can be used to reduce the frequency for face to face appointments with good feedback from patients in IBD clinics. 8 However, defining optimal cohorts for telemedicine remains a priority across Gastroenterology. Re-evaluating pathways to decentralise aspects of patient care will reduce waiting lists while also benefiting patients by reducing travelling times and taking unpaid time off work.…”

“…Telemedicine has historically not been utilised effectively in secondary care, but can be used to reduce the frequency for face to face appointments with good feedback from patients in IBD clinics 8. However, defining optimal cohorts for telemedicine remains a priority across Gastroenterology.…”