Communication Challenges Experienced by Clinicians and Patients during Teleconsultation: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Services Research
• Communication Studies

Background:

• Teleconsultations are increasingly prevalent, offering convenience and accessibility in healthcare delivery.
• Identifying and mitigating communication challenges is essential for optimizing the patient experience and quality of care during virtual consultations.

Approach:

• A comprehensive scoping review was conducted, analyzing 26 studies published between January 2000 and December 2022.
• Data were extracted from four major databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus) following PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• The review focused on communication barriers between clinicians and patients in the context of COVID-19 teleconsultations.

Key Points:

• Eight primary factors contributing to teleconsultation communication challenges were identified.
• These include technical difficulties, rapport-building issues, absence of non-verbal cues, inability to perform physical examinations, language barriers, spatial concerns, inadequate clinician preparation, and challenges in assessing health literacy.

Conclusions:

• The study identified eight key communication challenges impacting teleconsultation effectiveness.
• Addressing these factors is vital for ensuring high-quality remote healthcare.
• Further research is recommended to validate these findings and develop strategies to overcome identified barriers in routine teleconsultation.