COVID-19 Episode 2: Telephone and Video Consultation Tips

In this, our second of the COVID-19 specific episodes, GPs Lisa and Sara are joined electronically by Dr Dan Bunstone (GP and Clinical Director of Warrington CCG and Chief Medical Officer at Push Doctor) and Dr Joanna Bircher (GP partner, clinical director for GPExcellence and Pandemic Lead for her PCN).

We discuss:

• Advantages of telephone and video consultations including how to use the golden minute, picking up cues on video consults and when they might be most useful.
• Safety points around confirming patient identity and others that may be in the room. 
• The need for excellent documentation for non face to face consultations. 
• Tips for good safety netting. 
• Logistics of picking up prescriptions and how to protect shielded groups. 

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Useful resources 

• Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health Covid-19 specific guidelines: 
  https://www.fsrh.org/fsrh-and-covid-19-resources-and-information-for-srh/
• Trisha Greenhalgh's excellent BMJ article: Covid-19: a remote assessment in primary care:https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m1182
• eGP learning great telephone consultations tips
  https://egplearning.co.uk/quick-telephone-consultation-tips-for-primary-care/
• Red Whale Emotional and Psychological Survival Guide: 
  https://www.gp-update.co.uk/SM4/Mutable/Uploads/pdf_file/PEARL-Emotional-and-Psychological-wellbeing%5B2%5D-EDITED.pdf
• Website collating useful COVID-19 links: https://primarycarepathways.co.uk/covid19

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We really want to make these episodes relevant and helpful: if you have any questions or want any particular areas covered then contact us on Twitter @PCKBpodcast, or leave a comment on our really quick anonymous survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/YYQ763C

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This podcast has been made with the support of Wigan CCG and GP Excellence in Greater Manchester. Given that they are recorded with Greater Manchester clinicians, the information discussed may not be applicable elsewhere and it is important to consult local guidelines before making any treatment decisions. 

The information presented is the personal opinion of the healthcare professional interviewed and might not be representative to all clinicians. It is based on their interpretation of current best practice and guidelines when the episode was recorded. Guidelines can change; To the best of our knowledge the information in this episode is up to date as of it’s release but it is the listeners responsibility to review the information and make sure it is still up to date when they listen.

Dr Lisa Adams, Dr Sara MacDermott and their interviewees are not liable for any advice, investigations, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or products listeners might pursue as a result of listening to this podcast - it is the clinicians responsibility to appraise the information given and review local and national guidelines before making treatment decisions. Reliance on information provided in this podcast is solely at the listeners risk.

The podcast is designed to be used by trained healthcare professionals for education only. We do not recommend these for patients or the general public and they are not to be used as a method of diagnosis, opinion, treatment or medical advice for the general public. Do not delay seeking medical advice based on the information contained in this podcast. If you have questions regarding your health or feel you may have a medical condition then promptly seek the opinion of a trained healthcare professional.