Telemedicine or In-Person: Referral Letter Content Influencing How a Patient Receives Treatment.

Existing research indicates there is a strong link between the perceptions clinicians as individuals have of telehealth and a willingness to offer this modality to patients. Despite this, specific information about a patient contained within a referral letter may influence the delivery modality that the patient will be offered for their initial appointment. It is important that this information is more routinely included in letters sent by referring clinicians to hospital-based specialist services. It is equally important that when included, this information is identified and actioned by reviewing clinicians in a consistent way. Doing so will benefit patients by increasing the likelihood that they will receive specialist outpatient care in a manner that suits them best.