Assessing the use of telephone consultations to mitigate the effects of social distancing measures for the COVID‐19 pandemic in ophthalmology services

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AbstractPurposeTo investigate the change in routine outpatient ophthalmology UK practice during the COVID‐19 pandemic focusing on the use of telephone and video consultation. To determine the views of the UK consultant ophthalmologists on the role of teleophthalmology and its future use.MethodsA survey was designed to determine teleophthalmology practices pre‐COVID and during the first COVID‐19 lockdown. It also assessed participants’ views concerning the adoption of teleophthalmology and its future application within ophthalmology. The survey recipients were consultants within the UK. The data were collected and analysed using quantitative (SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA) and qualitative (thematic collation) methods.Results1. Statistically significant reduction in face‐to‐face workload during the first lockdown.2. Telephone and video consultation usage increased during lockdown; (93.8 %) of respondents performed telephone consultations and (23.8%) carried out video consultations.3. (46.25%) of consultants were concerned about the potential negative effect tele‐ophthalmology on training.4. (52.50%) of consultants did not agree that remote consultation should become the default modality of care (Strongly disagree‐disagree). Although, subspecialties like neuroophthalmology (50%) and oculoplastics (43.48%) supported the adoption of this model.5. (38.13%) of the consultant body thought that video consultation added value over a telephone consultation.6. Thematic analysis: Benefits: efficient in management low risk patients, useful as an adjunct to other services, increase capacity without the space issue and help deal with backlog of patients. Limitations: Investment into telemedicine hubs is required for it to become more applicable in more fields; not appropriate for some sub‐specialities and risks of missed signs and missed care. ConclusionsThe use of teleophthalmology increased during the first COVID‐19 lockdown. UK ophthalmologists expressed their concern about the negative impact of remote consulting particularly on training. More than 50% disagreed with making tele‐ophthalmology the default modality of care; however, sub‐specialities such neuroophthalmology and oculoplastics perceived that it could be valuable.