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Best practice and Fifteen-minute consultations
Fifteen-minute consultation: A practical approach to remote consultations for paediatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic
  1. Niamh Galway1,
  2. Gemma Stewart2,
  3. Julia Maskery3,
  4. Thomas Bourke4,5,
  5. Claire Teresa Lundy6
  1. 1 Department of Paediatric Respiratory Medicine, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK
  2. 2 Department of Community Paediatrics, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK
  3. 3 Department of Neurodisability, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, UK
  4. 4 Centre for Medical Education, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK
  5. 5 Department of Paediatrics, Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, UK
  6. 6 Department of Paediatric Neurodisability, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Claire Teresa Lundy, Dept. of Paediatric Neurodisability, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Belfast, UK; claireteresa.lundy{at}belfasttrust.hscni.net

Abstract

Objective This practical approach to the use of telehealth aims to offer clinicians a framework for video and telephone interactions with children and families accessing healthcare.

Design Using a standardised case to illustrate how video and telephone consultations can be used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Setting The emergence of 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is having a massive impact on society. Routine face-to-face consultations were reduced to reduce potential spread of the virus. Clinicians still need to provide ongoing safe care, particularly for more complex patients. Telehealth is the delivery of healthcare services across geographical barriers using information and communication technologies to improve health outcomes.

Intervention In this article, we describe a ‘How to’ approach to using virtual consultations based on our experience and a review of expert guidelines.

Conclusion Virtual consultations can be more convenient and have the potential to improve access for patients. Many have embraced these technologies for the first time during this pandemic.

  • information technology
  • technology

This article is made freely available for use in accordance with BMJ’s website terms and conditions for the duration of the covid-19 pandemic or until otherwise determined by BMJ. You may use, download and print the article for any lawful, non-commercial purpose (including text and data mining) provided that all copyright notices and trade marks are retained.

https://bmj.com/coronavirus/usage

https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2020-320000

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors CTL and JM developed the concept for the article and contributed to writing and review. TB provided input to both writing and medical education perspective. NG and GS developed the article further from a trainee perspective adding checklists and flow charts and revising the format and added an appropriate case discussion. All authors were involved in the final review of the article.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.