P72 Outcomes and patient satisfaction from an established virtual pulmonary nodule clinic. (December 2018) - Mitchelmore, P
Abstract : Introduction: The widespread use of CT scanning has led to the common problem of dealing with the incidental finding of pulmonary nodules. The practical delivery of nodule follow-up is variable. In our DGH we have delivered a 'Virtual Pulmonary Nodule Clinic' (VPNC) since November 2014. Clinic appointments involve a Radiologist and a Respiratory Physician, with communication to the patient via letters. In this abstract we describe outcomes and patient satisfaction with the service. Methods: Data was collected on patient outcome from the VPNC from November 2014 to June 2018. Patient satisfaction questionnaires were sent to those who had been through the VPNC in the first 6 months of 2018. Results: 966 VPNC appointments for 506 patients were reviewed. The median age at the first appointment was 70 years old (IQR 63–77.25). In total 399 patients are no longer under VPNC follow-up. Of these, 74% were formally discharged without requiring a physical clinic appointment, whilst a further 3% were discharged due to recurrent non-attendance for scans. 45 of the 399 patients were referred to a 2 week wait clinic, of whom 33% had a cancer surgically removed and 20% were not proven to have malignancy. 118 questionnaires were sent and 48 have been returned (41%). The responses are generally positive for the service. The mean satisfaction score was 4.4 out of 5 from the 44 responses to this question (1=poor; 5=excellent). With regards to the written communication to the patient, of those who fully answered the relevant questions, 39 out of 40 found the leaflet explaining the clinic useful and informative, whilst 43 out of 47 found the letter from the consultant after the VPNC to be informative. Of note, 9 out of 43 patients (21%) replied that they would have liked to have seen a doctor rather than being reviewed only in VPNC. Conclusion: The VPNC provides a streamlined service which reduces the need for multiple follow-up attendances. Approximately three quarters of patients who have completed follow-up through the service have not required a face-to-face appointment. Patient satisfaction appears to be high for this 'Virtual' follow-up service.