Survey by private hospital also reveals that 18 per cent of the doctors want to return to physical consultations once the situation normalises and 26 per cent are in favour of virtual consultations only for follow-up cases
About 50 per cent of the surveyed doctors said they were doing video consultations in the pre-Covid days as well. Representation pic
Of all the new normal ways the pandemic has brought about, consulting doctors on video call is definitely one, but the question that has been on everybody’s mind is whether the process is sustainable and effective. A pilot survey done by a private hospital in Mumbai has broached the topic and dealt with a very important question – will we go back to physical consultations only after the pandemic is over?
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While video consultations have its own challenges, 55.56 per cent of the doctors said that they would continue with the same post the pandemic for both new patients as well as follow up cases. Around 18 per cent doctors said they would return to physical consultations once the situation normalises and 26 per cent are in favour of virtual consultations only for follow up cases.
Feasible and beneficial
“Whether to continue or stop video consultations is a burning issue. The idea behind the survey was to find out the perception doctors have regarding video consultations. It has been shown to be feasible and beneficial. Treatment of home-isolated Covid patients was done,” said Dr Pettarusp Wadia, neurologist, Jaslok Hospital, who anchored the survey.
The survey, which was done last week, included 174 doctors from the city. “Prior to the pandemic, we were checking follow-up patients via video consultations. I have patients from Jabalpur, Rajkot and other parts of the country. While it’s okay to come for the first physical check-up, there are many who need regular follow-ups. For a 15-minute consultation, the patient has to travel all the way. In case it is just about checking the patient’s progress or changing medications, video consultation can be done,” added Dr Wadia.
Dr Wadia added that most of the participating doctors in the survey felt the risk was minimal if the process was conducted wisely. While around 50 per cent of the doctors accepted that they were doing video consultations in the pre-Covid days too, it is only in the pandemic that it has gained acceptance. About 88 per cent of doctors felt reasonably confident to offer a solution for new patients through online consultations. About 71.62 per cent of doctors felt there was a minimal risk of causing harm and 5.41 per cent thought it was risky.
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Not a new thing
“Video consultations ensure face-to-face interactions and it’s not a new thing. The survey has found that almost 50 per cent doctors were doing video consultations prior to the pandemic,” he added. Around 99 per cent of the survey participants used video consultations to treat their patients during the pandemic. About 88.64 per cent felt the inability to do a detailed physical examination was the biggest challenge and 43.18 per cent said they were worried about the medico-legal implications. Around 18.18 per cent doctors felt video consultations were too time consuming.
“Technology-network issues can be the biggest challenges of video consultations. The inability to do a detailed physical examination can be dealt with by the development of online tools, sensors in certain branches and by recording vitals at home. As far as medico legal concerns are concerned, Covid-19 has set the framework,” said Dr Wadia.
Dr Shivkumar Utture, president of Maharashtra Medical Council, said, “Video consultation was a win-win situation for both patients and doctors. Primary protocols for video consultations are already in place and work is in progress to strengthen it.”
Agreeing with Dr Utture, Dr TP Lahane, ex-director of Directorate of Medical Education and Research, said, “Patients do not have to travel all the way to the hospital without a doctor feeling the need for a physical examination. This will reduce footfall at the hospital, the patient’s chances of getting exposed to other infections and will save time as well.”
184
No. of doctors who were part of the survey
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