Supporting intestinal families in the virtual world during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic has placed many of our services under greater strain, raising challenges to maintain monitoring protocol and continuity of care for children and families. Social distancing measures were introduced in the UK in March 2020. Virtual clinics were identified as a potential way forward to ensure patient management was at the forefront of our care. Aim: To describe our experience of supporting children and families following intestinal transplant during a global pandemic. Method 1. All calls and emails reviewed from Nurse Led telephone advice service (March 2020 - January 2021) and key concerns identified. Discuss the need for face to face (F2F) appointments and admissions if circumstances require. • Virtual clinic platforms like Accurx, Zoom and Microsoft teams were used. Results: Increased telephone calls to our nurse led telephone advice service for reassurance and families' desire for information on shielding and safety within hospital environments. Providing information leaflets on accessing different platforms for virtual clinics has been essential to increase engagement to new systems. Initial feedback from the families was that virtual clinics/information sessions can feel overwhelming and distant. Reassuring patients and families has been essential for the MDT to acknowledge this while helping them develop new strategies to cope with the changes and challenges faced.Signposting families to support networks to manage their anxiety through practical support and providing up to date information. Enabling families to sign consent forms for transplant in collaboration with local teams. Discussion: Children and families were reassured that virtual clinics provide the same opportunities to discuss their child's/young person's clinical needs as well as emotional support. Involvement of MDT team members e.g. Clinical Psychologist, Dietitian in virtual clinic platforms restored confidence in families about our holistic delivery of care. Virtual clinics helped in reducing social and welfare issues for many families. Conclusion: New virtual technology has been embraced by families and many are keen to continue with a combination of virtual and F2F appointments in the future. Virtual clinics and information sessions can offer greater access and convenience to patients and their families, many of whom travel great distances to attend hospital appointments.