Alternatives to the face-to-face consultation in general practice: Focused ethnographic case study

Atherton, Helen; Brant, Heather; Ziebland, Sue; Bikker, Annemieke; Campbell, John; Gibson, Andy; McKinstry, Brian; Porqueddu, Tania; Salisbury, Chris

Abstract

© British Journal of General Practice. Background NHS policy encourages general practices to introduce alternatives to the face-to-face consultation, such as telephone, email, e-consultation systems, or internet video. Most have been slow to adopt these, citing concerns about workload. This project builds on previous research by focusing on the experiences of patients and practitioners who have used one or more of these alternatives. Aim To understand how, under what conditions, for which patients, and in what ways, alternatives to face-to-face consultations present benefits and challenges to patients and practitioners in general practice. Design and setting Focused ethnographic case studies took place in eight UK general practices between June 2015 and March 2016. Method Non-participant observation, informal conversations with staff, and semi-structured interviews with staff and patients were conducted. Practice documents and protocols were reviewed. Data were analysed through charting and the 'one sheet of paper' mind-map method to identify the line of argument in each thematic report. Results Case study practices had different rationales for offering alternatives to the face-to-face consultation. Beliefs varied about which patients and health issues were suitable. Co-workers were often unaware of each other's practice; for example, practice policies for use of e-consultations systems with patients were not known about or followed. Patients reported benefits including convenience and access. Staff and some patients regarded the face-toface consultation as the ideal. Conclusion Experience of implementing alternatives to the face-to-face consultation suggests that changes in patient access and staff workload may be both modest and gradual. Practices planning to implement them should consider carefully their reasons for doing so and involve the whole practice team.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 29, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Mar 28, 2018
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Feb 20, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 29, 2019
• Journal: British Journal of General Practice
• Print ISSN: 0960-1643
• Electronic ISSN: 1478-5242
• Publisher: Royal College of General Practitioners
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 68
• Issue: 669
• Pages: e293-e300
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp18X694853
• Keywords: communication, electronic mail, ethnography,; general practice, qualitative research, remote; consultation, workload
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/873053
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp18X694853
• Contract Date: Feb 20, 2018