7. CORE-E: Enabling Quality and Safety through Relational Connections

Evidence shows that remote consultations can be used most effectively and safely when the relationship between the woman and health professional is already established. Where a relationship is already established, remote consultations can provide ongoing support and reassurance, and help engage women with services.

Ongoing digital contact (for example as part of a remote monitoring system) can also help women and their partners to feel more actively involved in their care.

Nonetheless, there will always be clinical or social situations where a face-to-face assessment or examination is the best option.

Consider the following scenario and then answer the question below.

Scenario

A woman suffering with postnatal-depression.

Scenario Transcript

Here, we meet a family (Vanessa, mother, her baby Archie and Vanessa’s mother Anne); Archie is two weeks old. The community midwife, Asma knows the family well and provided care throughout pregnancy and last saw Vanessa on her 5th postnatal day. Her mother has phoned the community midwife because she is worried that Vanessa seems low in mood. The midwife knows that Vanessa is well supported and following a remote consultation by telephone, Asma feels it is appropriate to offer Vanessa a face-to-face appointment for the following day. Before the consultation ends, Asma offers clinical advice and contact details to Vanessa and Anne, in case there are any changes to Vanessa’s health that require earlier contact with services.

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Please think about how you might ask women to prepare for a digital clinical consultation and whether this might enable a positive call for the woman and her healthcare professional.

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An illustraion of a Wise owl who will help guide learning.

Remember to always consider safeguarding issues. Where relevant, make sure you are familiar with local protocols and guidance related to telephone triage and clinical risk assessment.