# Use and Perception of Video Consultations Among Swedish Dietitians Before and After COVID‐19 Onset

## TL;DR

This study explores how Swedish dietitians used and perceived video consultations before and after the pandemic, finding increased use and mixed views on quality and accessibility.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the adoption and perception of video consultations by dietitians in Sweden during and before the pandemic.

## Key findings

- More Swedish dietitians reported using video consultations in 2021 compared to 2016.
- Most dietitians believed video consultations improved healthcare access compared to face-to-face visits.
- A significant portion found video consultations less suitable for consultations requiring language interpreters.

## Abstract

The implementation of telehealth began globally before the onset of COVID‐19 but the use of telehealth, particularly video consultations (VCs), is expected to have increased with pandemic restrictions on face‐to‐face consultations (FTFCs). However, little is known about its actual usage. In Sweden, VCs have the potential to bridge long distances between Registered Dietitians (RDs) and their patients. This study investigates the use and perceptions of VCs among Swedish RDs before and after the onset of COVID‐19.

Swedish RDs were invited to participate in web‐based surveys in 2016 (n = 61) and 2021 (n = 112). Data are analysed and later discussed through the lens of Levesque et al.'s framework for patient‐centred access to healthcare.

More RDs reported having VC‐experience in 2021 compared to the 2016 survey, 67% and 16% respectively. A majority of the RDs (85%–88%) believed that access to dietetic care would increase with the use of VCs compared to FTFCs. In 2021, about half of RDs (55% and 46%) perceived treatment quality and relational quality to be unaffected by VCs, while approximately one‐third (31% and 43%) saw it as being reduced. With their additional experience, there was the caution by 69% of RDs in 2021 that consultations requiring language interpretation services were less suitable for VCs.

The findings suggest broader VC usage among Swedish RDs participating in the study. Implications for clinical practice include maintained access to healthcare and further practice development to meet quality needs and increased equity.

Video consultations were perceived to increase access to healthcare compared to face‐to‐face consultations.Treatment quality and the therapeutic relationship were thought to be unaffected by some, and reduced by others, with video consultation use compared to a face‐to‐face consultation format.Video consultations were perceived as less suitable for patient consultations requiring language interpreters than other consultation situations.

Video consultations were perceived to increase access to healthcare compared to face‐to‐face consultations.

Treatment quality and the therapeutic relationship were thought to be unaffected by some, and reduced by others, with video consultation use compared to a face‐to‐face consultation format.

Video consultations were perceived as less suitable for patient consultations requiring language interpreters than other consultation situations.