Virtual consultation (VC) in fertility and obstetrics and gynaecology services: An analysis of patient and clinician satisfaction

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess patient and clinician satisfaction and identify any differences between the two with the use of video consulting (VC) in the fields of obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) and fertility in Wales.DesignA retrospective electronic survey study.SettingAll public hospitals in Wales that used virtual methods for delivery of fertility and/or O&G appointments during and after the COVID‐19 pandemic between August 2020 and March 2022.PopulationPatients awaiting an appointment on the National Health Service, who have attended virtual fertility or O&G appointments in Wales, and fertility and O&G clinicians who have conducted appointments virtually.MethodsAnalysis of patient and clinician responses to a VC satisfaction survey delivered after their consultation taking place between August 2020 and March 2022.Main Outcome MeasuresPatient and clinician satisfaction rates with the use of virtual consultation in fertility and O&G appointments.ResultsIn satisfaction data collected from 420 patients and 161 clinicians, 83% of patients and 63% of clinicians reported their VC quality to be ‘very good’ or ‘excellent’. Difficulties when using VC were experienced by a minority of patients (1%–9%) and clinicians (1%–8%) and most patients (52v82%) and clinicians (34%–67%) found several aspects of VC to be ‘very beneficial’. Fertility patients rated their VC experience more positively than O&G patients.ConclusionsMost patients and clinicians were satisfied with their VC experience. Patients were more satisfied with the use of VC than clinicians. Fertility patients were more satisfied with the use of VC than O&G patients.