The aim of this study is to evaluate patient and consultant experiences with phone consultations for endoscopy-related outpatient appointments during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Telephone consultations as a method for telehealth do not provide visual cues and limit
interpretation of visual signs such as visualization of skin lesions. However, the need of
such feedback is almost non-existent for endoscopy-related consultations as their purpose is
focused. The main foci of endoscopy-related outpatient clinics are two: 1 - inform and
consent the patient for an endoscopic procedure that is to be done in the near future; 2 -
explain the results of a recent procedure already performed and which has a copy provided to
the patient. Therefore, phone consultations might be a good fit for endoscopy-related
outpatient clinics. The practicalities and indications for the use of phone consults has been
described by van Galen & Car (2018) and fit the above description.
Patients will be invited to participate only after the consultation have been finalised and
all questions regarding the endoscopic procedure to be done/that was done have been
clarified. Patients and consultants will fill questionnaires to evaluate the phone
consultation.
The primary outcome will the the comparison of "failed to attend" (FTA) occurrences compared
to a similar period of the past year. Secondary outcomes will be patients' and consultants'
satisfaction with the phone consultation.
Other: None - NA
Observational study
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients booked for an outpatient consultation in the Post-Endoscopy clinic or
Advanced Endoscopy clinic
- Consultation determined to be held over the phone as per preventive measures due to
the COVID-19 outbreak
- Age > 18 years
- Ability to give informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Phone consultation done with a relative as per patient's preference or inability to
talk over the phone
- Patient that is deemed as confused/not able to understand
- Unwilling/unable to participate in the post-consultation survey
Austin Health
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Sujievvan Chandran, MD, Principal Investigator
Consultant Gastroenterologist