Virtual Consultation (VC) in fertility and obstetrics and gynaecology
services: an analysis of patient and clinician satisfaction: a research
article
Abstract
Objective: To assess patient and clinician satisfaction
with the use of video consulting (VC) in the fields of obstetrics and
gynaecology (O&G) and fertility in Wales. To identify any differences
in satisfaction between the specialties and between patients and
clinicians. Design: A retrospective survey study.
Setting: All hospitals in Wales that used virtual methods for
delivery of fertility and/or O&G appointments between August 2020 and
March 2022. Population: Patients who have attended
virtual fertility or obstetrics and gynaecology appointments in Wales,
and fertility and O&G clinicians who have conducted appointments
virtually. Methods: Analysis of patient and clinician
responses to a VC satisfaction survey delivered by Technology Enabled
Care (TEC) Cymru between August 2020 and March 2022. Main
Outcome Measures: Patient and clinician satisfaction rates with the
use of virtual consultation in fertility and O&G appointments.
Results: In 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
and clinicians, and most patients and clinicians found several aspects
of VC to be “very beneficial”. Fertility patients rated their VC
experience more positively than O&G patients.
Conclusions: Most 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. Funding: None received.