Young persons and healthcare professionals experience of virtual gastroenterology consultations: a multicentre survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic

During and since the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a significant increase in virtual clinics. In this issue Hubbard and colleagues explore Young Persons (YP) and healthcare professionals (HCP) experiences of virtual consultations (VC) and establish whether developmentally appropriate healthcare can be delivered virtually. Electronic questionnaires were sent to young people (age 13–25 years) attending a virtual (telephone, video) gastroenterology/hepatology clinic between January and April 2021. 100 completed the survey – these were a combination of phone and video. In summary – the detail is in the paper - 80% of HCP spoke to YP directly but not privately (69%). 87% of YP and 88% HCP found VC useful. 83% of YP want VC again, although 20% preferred face to face. 43% of HCP required improved phone/internet connection. 77% of YP required hospital appointments for tests following VC. The data suggest there is an ongoing role for virtual consultations and for some patients there will be considerable benefit although work needs to be done on patient selection, ensuring the young person is part of the consultation and that their voice is heard particularly in the post pandemic setting when children and young people are likely to have to miss school or be in …