Table 4 Potential suggestions for practice

Legal

(i) Provide information for patients about what a VC can and cannot do.

(ii) Establish a ‘code of conduct’ that provides patients with information about what is acceptable.

(iii) Ensure adequate indemnity insurance (including Cybercover) is in place for the individual and organisation and that policy exclusions are transparent.

Safeguarding

(i) Establish a robust process of patient identification.

(ii) Ensure patient has access to a chaperone.

(iii) Ensure safeguarding policies at institution consider issues of VC.

Safety

(i) Provide guidance for patients on establishing a safe environment for virtual consultations.

(ii) Conduct risk assessment of physical environment patient-side.

(iii) Establish protocols for clinical assessments.

(iv) Establish procedures for managing patient incidents during virtual consultations.

Security

(i) Establish clear guidance on the security of the various technology platforms available.

(ii) Determine whether data is encrypted

(iii) Establish that appropriate approvals are in place by providers and indemnifiers.

(iv) Complete Data Protection Impact Assessment prior to roll out, considering relevant data protection guidance and policy.