Table 5.

RCGP quality indicators occurring at least once in each consultation mode

RCGP indicatorConsultation mode, n (%)a
FTFC (N= 51)TC (N= 53)VC (N= 45)Overall (N= 149)
Patient’s own health understanding31 (61)22 (42)17 (38)b70 (47)
Patient concerns are sought44 (86)44 (83)37 (82)125 (84)
Places problem into psychosocial context26 (51)19 (36)12 (27)b57 (38)
Explanation of diagnosis30 (59)18 (34)b18 (40)66 (44)
Explanation of treatment47 (92)45 (85)41 (91)133 (89)
Checking understanding51 (100)48 (91)43 (96)142 (95)
Shared decision making45 (88)48 (91)42 (93)135 (91)
Safety netting45 (88)51 (96)42 (93)138 (93)
  • a Two patients recorded two consultations. Statistical significance calculated based on Fisher’s exact tests for TC or VC compared with FTFC:

  • b P<0.05. There were no significant differences between TC and VC. FTFC = face-to-face consultation. RCGP = Royal College of General Practitioners. TC = telephone consultation. VC = video consultation.