Consensus on Criteria for Good Practices in Video Consultation: A Delphi Study

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 Jul 27;17(15):5396. doi: 10.3390/ijerph17155396.

Abstract

The use of telemedicine has greatly increased, largely derived from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has created the need for a guide aimed towards the adequate management of a modality of health care: the video consultation. A Delphi study composed of three rounds was conducted with 16 experts in holding video consultations and managing non-technical skills from different specialties and nationalities to conceive a consensus on the criteria needed for properly managing video consultations by healthcare professionals. The consensus criteria were defined by three dimensions (preparation of video consultation, video consultation process, and post-video consultation) and their corresponding items. Excellent consensus data was obtained; therefore, use is recommended by any healthcare professional who is going to utilize a video consultation, in order to manage it effectively.

Keywords: COVID-19; Delphi method; consensus; healthcare providers; telemedicine; video consultation.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Betacoronavirus
  • COVID-19
  • Communications Media
  • Coronavirus Infections
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Delphi Technique
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral
  • Referral and Consultation
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Telemedicine / methods
  • Telemedicine / standards*