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CC BY 4.0 · European Journal of General Dentistry 2022; 11(01): 058-063
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1742360
Original Article

Virtual Consultations—“Should We Be Using Them?”: A Two-Cycle Clinical Audit

Yung Wei Jarred Lee 
1   Department of Orthodontics, DCT2 Royal Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
,
Anika Patel
2   Department of Orthodontics, DCT2 Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Prescot Road, Liverpool, United Kingdom
,
Sandeep Acharya
1   Department of Orthodontics, DCT2 Royal Liverpool University Dental Hospital, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, United Kingdom
,
Madhavi Seshu
3   Department of Orthodontics, Orthodontist Arrowe Park Hospital, Arrowe Park Road, Wirral, United Kingdom
› Author Affiliations Funding The authors of this manuscript declare that they have no conflicts of interest. No funding was received for the study.
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Abstract

Objective In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the use of virtual appointments increased substantially. An audit was designed to evaluate the efficacy of virtual appointments at Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Patients and clinicians satisfaction of virtual appointments were also recorded.

Materials and Methods Patients having virtual appointments were identified, and data were recorded, including demographics and outcome of the appointment. A pilot study was conducted to identify any necessary modifications to the data collection process. Data were collected over two cycles, and the results were analyzed.

Results The first cycle was performed retrospectively and there were 158 patients identified who had a virtual appointment. An outcome could be drawn from the virtual appointment in over 70% of cases. Recommendations following the first cycle were implemented. A second cycle was then completed prospectively. A total of 145 patients were identified. An outcome could be drawn in 51% of cases. Patient and clinician feedback on virtual appointments was generally positive.

Conclusion This study demonstrated that a successful outcome could be drawn in the majority of virtual appointments, and clinicians and patients had positive experiences regarding virtual clinics. This highlights the usefulness of this service, which is particularly relevant due to the increased reliance on virtual clinics during the pandemic.

Keywords

audit - virtual - coronavirus

Authors' Contribution

YWJL lead the study. YWJL, AP, and SA undertook the data collection. YWJL, AP, and SA drafted a paper, and MS contributed to the final draft. All authors gave their final approval and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.




Publication History

Article published online:
07 March 2022

© 2022. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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