Introduction

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems have rapidly adopted alternative models for delivering healthcare (e.g., remote service) to minimise the spread of disease [1]. Understanding the impact this has on clinical practice, including patients’ access to and quality of care, is important [2]. We explored the views and experiences of both people living with kidney disease and kidney clinicians on remote healthcare delivered during the pandemic in the UK.

Brief methods

In a multicentre observational study, we surveyed people with kidney disease and clinicians about their views and experiences of remote kidney healthcare delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 5249 (2483 non-dialysis, and 2766 transplant) patients, and 1167 healthcare professionals across 11 sites in England, UK, were invited to take part. Potential participants were sent a link to the online survey. The survey was conceived in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread implementation of remote healthcare. Data were obtained using Jisc Online Surveys (Bristol, UK) between August and December 2020. The study was granted ethical approval by the Leicester Research Ethics Committee (18/EM/0117). All patients provided informed online consent and the study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Descriptive and frequency data are presented as mean (standard deviation (SD)) or number (percentage). Free text responses were analysed using thematic analysis [3].

Results

A total of 549 (10%) patients completed the survey: 56% were male, the mean age was 60.7 (SD12.7) years, 55% were transplant recipients, with a mean current transplant age of 11.4 (SD34.5) years. Fifty-nine (5%) clinicians completed the survey: 70% were female with a mean age of 43.7 years (SD11.4), 44% were nurses and 28% were consultants or specialist registrars. Participant characteristics are detailed in Supplementary Material 1.

Patient experiences

Prior to the pandemic, 65 (12%) patients had previously experienced remote care. Most patients (91%) reported having had a routine appointment or consultation since the onset of the pandemic; 70% of these were conducted remotely (i.e., video or telephone), 10% were face-to-face, and 11% received both. In total, 64 (13%) felt that their appointment did not meet their expectations and/or needs. Of the 444 patients who had a remote appointment, 430 (97%) stated they would consider having another remote appointment.

Clinician experiences

Forty-five clinicians (76%) reported using remote methods for patient consultations. Of those, 22 (49%) reported using them for outpatient appointments, 7 (16%) reported using remote methods to assess patient needs when they reported a health problem, and 16 (36%) reported using them for both. The most commonly used remote method was telephone (n = 43, 96%), followed by email (n = 25, 56%), then video (n = 16, 36%). Of those who used remote care methods, 36 (80%) were likely to continue using them in the future. Many suggested that remote methods could support face-to-face appointments and be used on an alternative basis (i.e., between face-to-face appointments).

Facilitators and barriers of remote care

Strengths and facilitators of remote care identified included: (1) increased efficiency, (2) reduced burden (including less time, reduced travel), (3) adequate time to prepare, and (4) effective communication. Weaknesses and barriers of remote care identified included: (1) reduced ability to perform clinical assessment and concerns around assessment accuracy, (2) communication difficulties, (3) perceived lack of confidentiality and disclosure, and (4) delayed intervention.

Exemplar quotes of the barriers and facilitators can be found in Supplementary Material 2.

Future use of remote care

Remote care was perceived to have the opportunity to be used more routinely, to support face-to-face appointments, and for specific groups such as those with stable disease.

Exemplar quotes of the future use of remote care can be found in Supplementary Material 2.

Discussion

Our findings show that remote kidney healthcare was well-accepted, with many proposing a hybrid approach to future care (e.g., combination or alternative face-to-face and remote appointments). The balance between face-to-face appointments and remote appointments is delicate, with the optimal frequency of real-life contact undetermined [4]. Although, (the use of) remote appointments may be part of future healthcare, they are not considered to be a replacement for face-to-face appointments [4]. Given that the increased use of technology in routine care is part of the NHS 5 year plan [5], it is imperative that changes are implemented to improve current healthcare models and systems to enable successful integration of telemedicine in routine clinical practice.

Changes in the patterns of delivering care may involve complex interactions and implementation of change methods. Based on our findings, we identified strategies for optimising remote kidney care that could be utilised to ensure high-quality care is delivered to people with kidney disease (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1.
figure 1

10 lessons learnt from delivery remote care during COVID-19 pandemic: strategies to optimise the delivery of future remote kidney healthcare

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Limitations

Whilst our patient sample was large and diverse from multiple secondary care sites across England, it was not entirely representative of the UK kidney population due to the exclusion of those receiving dialysis. Our clinician sample size was smaller, but not unexpected due to the high clinical demands at the time of the survey distribution. Due to the pandemic, our survey was conducted online; however, online surveys may not be easily accessible to all, and as a result our sample may under-represent people who are not online (typically older, less affluent, and with limited formal education) [6].

Conclusion

There are lessons to be learnt from delivering remote kidney care during the pandemic and potential strategies for optimising the delivery of future remote kidney care. A shift in the delivery of kidney care may require services to be designed to accommodate a new kidney care model. Further work is needed to ensure that remote care provides the same level of care, and whether discrepancies in the quality of care are perceived or experienced.