Virtual consultations for people with learning disabilities
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Virtual consultations for people with learning disabilities, their families and healthcare providers: Using Experience-Based Co-Design to explore experiences, adapt, develop and implement best-practice guidance and training resources for health care professionals
IRAS ID
303071
Contact name
Freda Mold
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Surrey
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Conducting health consultations online (called virtual consultations (VCs) using a telephone, or computer (video call/email)) has been used a lot in recent months. However, VCs can widen healthcare inequalities for specific people, including people with learning disabilities (PwLD). In response to this the research team aims to work with key stakeholders (PwLD, their families and health care staff) to co-design best-practice guidance and resources for HCPs to support PwLD and their families to access and benefit from virtual consultations. Our objectives are:
1.To understand experiences and views of PwLD, and their families of accessing and interacting with HCPs using virtual consultations (phone, video and email), including non-user views.
2.To explore HCPs views and experiences of delivering care virtually with PwLD/families to understand opportunities, challenges and approaches to risk mitigation.
3.To bring PwLD, their families and HCPs together in a co-design process to reflect on findings from the (above) objectives, summarise experiences of use (and non-use) of virtual consultations and establish improvement priority areas.
4.To co-design tangible resources, based on project findings and rapid review evidence including best-practice guidance, training and support materials to positively change VC experiences and practice.
We will work with adults with mild/moderate learning disabilities, their families and HCPs using an Experience-Based Co-Design (EBCD) approach. EBCD uses narrative storytelling and collaborative approaches. It promotes service-user and staff involvement to improve healthcare quality. There are three stages of work:
Stage 1 – Observations of VCs and qualitative interviews. Interview data with PwLD/families will be made into a narrative story-telling/touchpoint film.
Stage 2 – Three events will be hosted to summarise experiences, set priorities for different participants and co-design resources need to improve the way VC are conducted.
Stage 3 –To develop and implement the co-designed resources (best practice guidance/training) for HCPs and accessible information for PwLD/families to promote digital inclusion and access.Lay summary of study results: People with learning disabilities often experience a greater number of health problems than people without learning disabilities. They also encounter more barriers to accessing health services, which may impact their health.
Primary and community care services are under great pressure to deliver timely healthcare. Use of virtual consultations may play an important role in improving access to health and facilitate better care, at times needed by their patients. VC is contact with healthcare professionals by video/telephone call and email.
This study explored the potential of VC to enable people with learning disabilities, their families and support workers to use them in a way that best meets their needs. We also wanted to explore how a range of healthcare staff can best deliver care to meet these needs virtually, to complement face-to-face care.
We observed 3 online video consultations between people with learning disabilities, their family members or support workers and staff in primary and community care.
We also undertook 34 interviews with patients, family members, support workers and healthcare staff in south-east England. We made a film from the interview clips and showed it at five events where we talked with our participants about the study findings and worked together to create helpful resources.
This study was supported by several community partners including Active Prospects, Your Healthcare, Surrey Coalition of Disabled People, ProActive Community (Kingston), halow.
Findings from the study suggest several areas impacting patients’ or healthcare staff’s use of virtual consultations. These include:
Having choice and supporting preferences The importance of support Building online relationships and feeling connected Quality and safety of VC Communication, rapport and visual cues New ways of working for healthcare staff Work & wellbeing (skills and confidence)Based on these findings, the project intends to develop a range of resources including:
* Best Practice Guidance & Toolkit
* A Resources Guide
* A Virtual Consultation Passport for people with learning disabilities and their families/support workers.
* Advice & Top Tips Sheet for people with learning disabilities and their families/support workersLearning from this study has the potential to:
* To improve digital inclusion, and access to healthcare for people with learning disabilities/families.
* Improve ways of working and integration of care between healthcare teams.
* Improve the quality of interaction and communication for all virtual consultation participants.
* Provide an additional way to offer and deliver routine, non-urgent care (i.e. support parts of Health Checks) to complement existing face to face care delivery.REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/WM/0025
Date of REC Opinion
6 Apr 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion