RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Investigating consultant-led virtual review as a model for implementing 7-day cardiology services in UK clinical practice
JF Future Healthcare Journal
JO Future Healthc J
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP e666
OP e670
DO 10.7861/fhj.2021-0115
VO 8
IS 3
A1 Alexander J Deighton
A1 Ceri Davies
A1 Christos Bourantas
A1 Charles Knight
A1 Simon Woldman
A1 James Deighton
A1 Armita Azar
A1 Debashish Das
YR 2021
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/8/3/e666.abstract
AB Background Disparities between weekend and weekday care, termed ‘the weekend effect’, have led to a UK government pledge to provide 7-day services. Despite this, poor outcomes have led to criticism of the programme. This study consequently sought to evaluate consultant-led virtual review as a model for 7-day cardiology services.Methods Over 4 weekends, cardiology patients underwent virtual review alongside in-person teams. Outcomes included length of stay, same-day discharge and 30-day mortality rates, as well as duration of ward rounds and change in patient management. Patients were surveyed on attitudes towards virtual review.Results Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in clinical outcomes, while virtual review was noted to significantly decrease time taken (p<0.0001). Attitudes towards virtual review were broadly favourable.Conclusion By demonstrating comparable outcomes compared with conventional review, as well as high acceptability, this study identified virtual review as an effective substitute for in-person care.