Remote consultations, prescribing and virtual teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, health professionals, including non-medical prescribers, needed to assess and treat patients whilst minimising personal contact. This required the rapid implementation of remote consultations. Simultaneously, in health education, virtual learning was fast-tracked to reduce transmission of the virus. A non-medical prescribing academic team and their learners (students) embarked upon a transitional journey to integrate remote consultations into the curriculum. This article will share the experiences of the academic team and learners during this transition and address the practical aspects of conducting remote consultations whilst maintaining patient safety, professional regulations and governance.

Non-medical prescribing considerations in emergency mental health services

“…The pandemic and widespread lockdowns could also have played a role in the deterioration of Jane's mental health as low mood, stress, loneliness and boredom have been reported to be common symptoms precipitated by COVID-19 and its implications on daily life (Razai et al, 2020). Consultation settings had to be considered on an individual basis, with the clinical situation weighed against the risks of potential exposure and virus transmission (Churchouse et al ,2021). On discussion with Jane, she was unwilling to leave her home and felt uncomfortable using video call.…”

Consultation in out-of-hours practice: a clinical review of Lyme disease

“…This can be particularly challenging when using telephone and video consultation methods where visual clues and the subtleties of language can be difficult to interpret (Car et al 2004). Remote consultation has been a fixture in healthcare for some time but its use has been expediated in response to COVID 19 restriction (Churchouse et al, 2021). In the out of hours (OOH) urgent primary care setting the initial patient consultation is via a phone call and a follow up in-person consultation only occurs when deemed clinically necessary.…”