Video consultations in general practice

Due to political ambitions for increased digital access to health care, video consultations will continue to be part of general practice after the corona pandemic.

From previous research, we know that video consultations can provide quick and convenient access to health care, especially in remote areas where patients can avoid long transportation times. For socially vulnerable patients, video consultations can alleviate anxiety related to doctor visits, while for others it can minimise the feeling of being ill when the patient is not physically attending the clinic for the consultation.

Organisational factors have shown to play a significant role for successful implementation of video consultations, requiring a planned and coordinated approach that involves staff training, and coordination of responsible staff members. The introduction of video consultations in general practice means that the working methods and routines are adapted to new practices created by new technologies. It is therefore important to investigate how adaptations to new working methods and technologies are made and how they impact the working life of healthcare professionals.

AIM

Research-based knowledge about the use of video consultations in general practice is important and crucial for both health care staff, patients and politicians to ensure high quality in future video consultations with general practitioners.

The aim of the project is to identify and understand the opportunities and challenges to achieving sustained adoption and long-term sustainability of video consultations in general practice.

The study is divided into three levels representing

1. the individual video consultation user (micro)
2. the organisational aspect (meso)
3. the national context and wider influences on the implementation of video consultions (macro).

PARTNERS

The project is a PhD project by Elle Lüchau.

The main supervisor is Elisabeth Assing Hvidt, Research Unit for General Practice, University of Southern Denmark.

Co-supervisors are Jens Søndergaard, Research Unit for General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Finn Olesen, Aarhus University, and Helen Atherton, University of Warwick.

EXTERNAL FUNDING

The project is financed by Fonden for Almen Praksis (the Foundation for General Practitioners) and Sygeforsikring Danmark (Health Insurance Denmark).