Remote consultation: The experiences of community intellectual disability teams

Abstract

The use of remote technology, via telephone and video, was rapidly introduced across health services at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic and is likely to future. This study investigated the experience and opinions of staff working in Specialist Intellectual Disability Community Teams, with the aim of clarifying the advantages and disadvantages of remote technology in this setting and helping to guide service development. Fourteen members of staff from seven different health disciplines across seven NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Community Intellectual Disability Teams were interviewed using a semi-structured format. Thematic analysis identified three overarching themes: use of remote technology; efficiency and limitations. Participants reported clear efficiency advantages using remote technology but some challenges with communication and completing comprehensive patient assessments. There was support for the ongoing use of remote technology in the assessment and treatment of people with intellectual disability, particularly for multidisciplinary meetings. However, participants also described a need for face to face assessments, particularly for people with more severe intellectual disability, with complex care needs or when particular assessments are required (such as a new patient appointment or physical assessment).