Comment: Warning over widespread move to virtual GP appointments
The following comment was issued to The Scotsman in response to a Scottish Government news release welcoming the success of virtual GP consultations during the coronavirus pandemic.
The report suggested virtual medical appointments could be used more often in the future.
We warned against the assumption that all older patients would find online or telephone appointments as useful as seeing a GP face to face.
Adam Stachura, head of the policy and communications, said:
“The introduction of widespread digital GP consultations during the coronavirus pandemic was completely understandable in terms of convenience and safety for patients and staff.
“However for many older patients not seeing their doctor in person over a prolonged period has clearly had a detrimental effect on their health and wellbeing.
“While there has been a recent increase in the number of older people with access to internet or using a smart phone, hundreds of thousands still do not and taking part in a video appointment is not an option for them. We also know from calls to our helpline that older people have struggled to make GP appointments in the first place, with the only option to do so being via a website.
“Even telephone consultations can feel impersonal to some older people particularly when it comes to sharing personal health concerns.
“GPs regularly refer to patients coming to see them about one issue and then discovering what is really troubling them when they are sitting in the consulting room. For older people the face to face element of a GP appointment can be particularly important.
“It is clear that video appointments are going to be an important part of how we access health care but we would encourage GPs and the Scottish Government ensure the availability of in-person appointments for older patients who need them to avoid a situation where those large numbers of who are digitally excluded are missing out on vital medical treatment.”
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