Change in needs for video consultations in times of a pandemic a qualitative observation

Abstract

Background The occurrence of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and the associated pandemic situation has led to a surge in the use of video consultations in many countries. The aim of this work was to identify indications for a change in the use or the introduction of new telemedical applications in family physicians’ practices and, in a second step, to provide an overview of currently avail-able certified video consultation providers in Germany. Methods Semi-structured, guide-based telephone interviews were conducted with physicians from research practices who took part in a project to implement telemedicine. Furthermore, an inter-net search to gather information about providers of medical video consultations that were certified in June 2020 and thus approved for billing with the statutory health insurance associ-ations was collected and structured. Results A total of 13 interviews were conducted with physicians from ten practices. The introduction of video consultations was al-ready completed or in the final phase of introduction in nine practices. With the exception of one practice, everyone planned the long-term use of this telemedical application. However, telemedicine-based delegated home visits by medical assistants hardly took place. In June 2020 there were 27 certified providers of medical video consultations in Germany. The costs for the practices were between 0.00 Euro and 198.00 Euro per month. Conclusions The pandemic could be a catalyst for the implementation of telemedicine in Germany. At the same time, the high level of user-friendliness and acceptance among patients and phys-icians’ practices could ensure the ongoing use in the future.