Interpersonal contact and altered sensory conditions in video consultation–a qualitative interview study in Danish general practice

Frida Greek Kofod*, Elisabeth Assing Hvidt, Anne Beiter Arreskov, Ann Dorrit Guassora

*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftTidsskriftartikelForskningpeer review

Abstract

Objective
To explore possible challenges to General Practitioners’ (GPs’) interpersonal contact with patients in video consultations (VCs), and learn how they change their communication strategies to carry out medical work in a setting with altered sensory conditions.

Design, setting, subjects
The study included 6 GPs from the Copenhagen area, with different levels of experience of VC. The data consist of 6 interviews with GPs, held in 2021-2022. The semi-structured interviews included playback of a recorded VC between each GP and a patient, inspired by the Video-Stimulated Interview technique. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).

Results
GPs experienced alterations in the sensation of their patients in VCs, and worried about missing something important, including assessing the patient. Generally, GPs felt that interpersonal contact was good enough for the purpose. GPs compensated for altered sensory conditions on video by asking more questions, repeating their advice, and meta-communicating. They used their senses of sight and hearing relatively more in VCs. Compensation also took the form of triage, so that consultations on sensitive topics or with new patients were not selected to take place on video.

Conclusion and implications
By compensating for altered sensory conditions in VCs, GPs can carry out their medical work sufficiently well and sustain the best possible interpersonal contact. Our findings are useful for establishing ways to maintain good interpersonal contact between GPs and patients in VCs.
OriginalsprogEngelsk
TidsskriftScandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
ISSN0281-3432
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2024

Bibliografisk note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Citationsformater