Telephone consultations in secondary care.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the role of telephone consultations in respiratory medicine.


METHODS
An observational study.


METHODS
Respiratory outpatients department in an inner London teaching hospital.


METHODS
Five-hundred sequential patients attending three different outpatient respiratory clinics.


METHODS
Substitution of the next intended consultation with a telephone consultation.


METHODS
Proportion of patients suitable for telephone consultation, their availability when telephoned, length of consultation and patient satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Telephone consultations are an effective alternative to traditional consultations in a third of respiratory patients attending for hospital follow-up. This style of consultation allows the option of not attending the hospital for a consultation and 23.9% had their consultation at their place of work.
Roberts
Nicola J
NJ
Imperial College London, NHLI Division, Charing Cross Campus, St. Dunstans Road, London W6 8RP, UK. nicola.roberts@imperial.ac.uk
Partridge
Martyn R
MR
D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019114:Remote Consultation; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone; D013997:Time Factors