4. CORE-C-Creating the Right Environment, Infrastructure and Staff Support

Is there privacy to talk about confidential matters? Consider if you will you be able to talk uninterrupted and how you will convey privacy to your patient.

Digital clinical consultations are different to those conducted face to face. As with all communication skills, training can improve our practice. Have you had any training about how to do effective digital clinical consultations? What training could you access?

If using video calls, do you have a stable internet connection? It is always good to have a back up plan if something goes wrong. Where possible, choose a communication platform that is easy for patients to use.

Always use a work phone and make sure women know your work phone number, and an alternative if you are not available.

Do you have access to this woman's medical records? Both handheld and electronic records should be checked as the two systems do not always link up. Where possible, the system you are using should link to electronic records. Make sure that any discussions are documented.

Please check whether the individual is known to safeguarding services before starting the consultation. Consider whether an in-person consultation may be more appropriate in situations where safeguarding concerns have been noted.

Are there organisational guidelines that support the use of digital clinical consultations for different situations? Make sure you find out who you can ask for help if you encounter any problems.

Does the client need an interpreter? If so, make sure you have booked this service in advance and that you are familiar with how to use the system. You may need to access training to make maximum use of the interpretation facility.

Would it be helpful to involve any other professionals in the call? Digital consultations can be a very efficient way of organising multi-disciplinary team meetings.

It is important to monitor women's and staff's experiences of using digital clinical consultations. Make sure the results are communicated to staff so that they feel involved in decisions about how and when to use digital clinical consultations.

Make sure you introduce yourself and your role so that women know who they are talking to.