Are there any downsides to digital GP appointments?
Things we don’t miss: ringing up a GP at 8am on the dot to try to nab an appointment three weeks from now. While it’s true that phone and video GP appointments were a thing pre-covid, lockdown restrictions saw them go mainstream – and the NHS recently announced plans to keep them going after the vaccination programme has been completed. ‘Video consultations can make the process much more efficient,’ says GP Dr Rachel Ward, who says they’re ideal for following up after tests, reviewing medication or discussing mental health issues. ‘They’re also a fantastic option for busy workers or parents, who may otherwise struggle to find time to be seen, and being in the non-clinical comfort of your own home can be a better environment for intimate or hard-to-talk-about topics.’ But, GP Dr Louise Newson says they can’t replace all consultations. ‘A lot of communication is non-verbal, and many subtleties can be missed in a remote visit, such as the texture of skin, rashes or odours,’ she adds. ‘I’ve diagnosed diabetes by the smell of a person’s breath and leukaemia by noticing bruising on legs.’ The upshot? If it’s something more routine, wifienabled is fine. But if you’ve noticed something out of the ordinary, like a gynaecological issue or a lump on your breast, it’s important that you see someone in person.