Video hospital consultations have opened up my—and my patients’— world

Remote hospital clinics were brought in with little-to-no introduction, part way through the covid-19 pandemic. While their roll-out may have been abrupt—and there are of course limitations to them and their suitability—they have allowed me to gain a real insight into my patients as people beyond the clinic. From meeting pets to joining them virtually while they work or holiday, virtual consultations have provided insight into my patients’ worlds.As a congenital electrophysiologist I see children, adults, and families with rhythm abnormalities and inherited cardiac conditions. This means my clinics can involve a single patient or whole families of three generations. Often my patients have to be seen throughout their whole life and so the commitment to hospital appointments is immense.My colleague and I have established a hybrid clinic with some patients attending remotely and some in-person depending on the patients’ needs and requirements. And we are not alone. According to…