308 A Qualitative Study Evaluating the Uses, Benefits and Barriers of Tele-Consultations in The Pre-Operative Pathway for Elective Orthopaedic Surgery at A Major London Teaching Hospital

Abstract Introduction Digital healthcare technology is becoming a prodigious tool in management, supporting efforts for effective demand management and personalised, user-centred care. One example tele-consultations, clinical consultations conducted remotely using such as telephones or videos. However, there slow adoption of lack literature its use, particularly within the pre-operative surgical pathway, where communication, patient education planning vital to post-surgical outcomes. This study aimed evaluate uses, benefits barriers tele-consultations pathway elective hip knee arthroplasty, at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, from perspective key stakeholders. Method 16 Semi Structured Interviews were with professionals (HCPs) along preoperative before conducting thematic analysis. Ethical approval was received Research Ethics Committee on 05/02/2019. Results HCPs suggested use-cases tele-consultation use pre-assessment lower risk patients, information delivery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy pre-assessment. Benefits cited reduced overall costs time, increased workflow efficiency noted accessibility challenges, holistic examination digital illiteracy. Conclusions Future studies should be other trusts identify greater uses entire pathway.