An evaluation of telephone versus videoconference consults for pre-treatment medication history taking by cancer pharmacists

J Telemed Telecare. 2022 Dec;28(10):750-756. doi: 10.1177/1357633X221122140.

Abstract

Introduction: The primary aim was to compare the successful completion rates of pre-treatment medication history consults conducted by pharmacists with patients either via an unscheduled telephone consult (current standard care) or a scheduled videoconference consult model. Secondary aims were to examine pharmacist perceptions of the telephone and videoconference consults and explore patient (+/- support person) perceptions of videoconference consults.

Method: Completion data were collected and compared for the two modalities. In addition, pharmacists commented on any positive/negative factors impacting all consults. For the final 35 participants completing a videoconference consult, patients, support people, and pharmacists involved, completed a survey exploring perceptions and satisfaction.

Results: A significantly higher completion rate (p < 0.0001) was found for the videoconferencing model, with 94% (76 of 81) completed successfully compared to 72% (76 of 105) of the unscheduled telephone consults. Pharmacists reported multiple factors impacting the success of the telephone consults including scheduling issues and patient factors. Survey responses revealed that 100% of patients/support people and 82% of pharmacists reported satisfaction with videoconference consults. Surveyed participants noted some technical issues, however, the 'ability to show/view medication containers and/or labels' and 'convenience of scheduled time' were benefits of the videoconference model.

Discussion: Results indicate that pre-treatment medication history consults should be offered via videoconference to maximise success.

Keywords: COVID-19; Telehealth; cancer; medication; telepharmacy; videoconference.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Medical History Taking
  • Neoplasms*
  • Pharmacists*
  • Telephone
  • Videoconferencing