Course: Effective Remote Patient Consultations (June 2020 Webinar), Section: Learning outcomes

General

Domains: Communication, Leadership & accountability

No CPD Points

Conducting remote consultations and triaging patients presenting with acute ocular symptoms is now common in optometric practice. Being able to identify key signs and symptoms and understand when further investigation is required to make a provisional differential diagnosis can be challenging without the ability to examine a patient directly.

This recorded lecture by Dr Michael Johnson was filmed during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the principles are relevant in general to remote consultations. It will cover the key points to consider during a remote consultation including:

Remote consultation etiquette
Key questions to ask
Red flag symptoms and related ocular disease
Referrals and management
Patient advice and follow-up
Record keeping.

Since the pandemic, remote consultations have become more common. You should use your professional judgement to decide whether it is in the patient's best interests to offer remote consultations, but they should not be used for conducting an eye examination or sight test.

First published: June 2020
Last reviewed: September 2024

Learning outcomes

Communication

s.2 Communicate effectively with patients

Able to take an effective history and symptoms during a remote consultation when a patient presents with acute ocular symptoms.
Able to effectively advise patients about their ocular condition, any treatment, follow-up or referral required during a remote consultation.

Leadership and accountability

s.12 Ensure a safe environment for your patients

Understand which patients are suitable for a remote consultation and be able to identify when a patient requires further investigation or referral, taking into account the urgency of the situation and your level of competence.

s.8 Maintain adequate patient records

Understand the records that need to be made during and following a remote patient consultation.