ePAQ-PF (electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire-Pelvic Floor) is a validated, web-based interactive patient-reported outcome measure, which offers in-depth evaluation of a woman’s pelvic floor symptoms and their impact on quality of life. The crucial enabling aspect of this case study is the previous research undertaken across both primary and secondary care to establish the psychometric properties of the instrument used.
New and follow up patients referred to the urogynaecology clinic are posted information details and a voucher letter inviting them tocomplete the e-PAQ online. On completion, each patient then has the option of printing her questionnaire report, which includes a summary of symptom scores and concerns in each area. The patient is then assessed via a telephone consultation, with the consultant or clinician using the e-PAQ report to inform the discussion.
Research and clinical practice shows that consultation times are briefer, communication experience enhanced and personal costs to patients lower than with a face to face appointment. The cost of delivering the ePAQ-based virtual clinics is £31.75 versus £72.17 for a traditional hospital based attendances. This cost includes consultant time and overheads.The average length of a telephone consultation is 11 minutes compared with 26 minutes for face to face consultation.
ePAQ-PF has also been used in primary care and in physiotherapybased women’s health clinics in the region. Clinical practice has shown us that for medical conditions of a sensitive and intimate nature, a virtual clinic has potential to better support patients to communicate with health professionals about their condition. Other clinical areas are now developing their own versions of the instrument include menstrual, vulva, vascular, knee, cardiology, rare forms of cancers, HIV, aortic aneurysm and fertility.