P078. Can we safely and effectively manage routine breast pain referrals without face-to-face clinic appointments?

Abstract

Breast pain is a common primary-care referral to the breast clinic. Telephone clinics were created to manage such referrals at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the number of face-to-face clinic appointments in this group, freeing up slots for urgent referrals. The aim was to assess whether the implementation of virtual breast pain clinics are safe and effective in the management of routine referrals for breast pain. A retrospective audit was carried out assessing patients on virtual breast pain clinics over a three month period. Patients were categorised as either fit for discharge after telephone consultations or appointed to a face-to-face clinic. Patients were sent questionnaires to gauge satisfaction with the process. Of 66 patients, 20 (30%) patients were appointed a face-to-face clinic appointment after telephone follow-up. The remaining 70% have been managed by telephone consultation. 51 (77%) of patients have been reassured and discharged. There was a 50% response in satisfaction survey, of which 100% gave positive feedback. One patient reported a lump at initial telephone call requiring a face-to-face clinic review. This was an incorrect referral and she was diagnosed with breast cancer. No other pathology was identified in patients with face-to-face consultations. Telephone clinics for routine breast pain referrals are safe and effective and reduce the number of patients requiring face-to-face clinics. This increases capacity to see urgent referrals which is important given the increased mismatch between urgent referrals and clinic capacity since the onset of the pandemic. Moreover, patients were satisfied with the process.