Virtual Clinics in Cardiology: Do They Provide Equivalent Care and Reduce Travel?

Objective: To evaluate whether Virtual Clinic appointments in cardiology are equitable to Face to Face appointments in terms of investigation as a consequence of the appointment and a reduction in travel for the whole care episode. Design: Retrospective observational cohort study of 9,445 patients. Setting: Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, a medium-sized NHS trust in the north west of England. Participants: 9,445 patients referred for new cardiology appointments between 2023 and 2025. Methods and Analysis: Data extraction from electronic records and test ordering systems were accessed and appointments with corresponding investigations were retrieved. The data was validated using random samples and the extraction modified until accurate. Principle Component Analysis was used to compare groups and Welch T Test used to statistically analyse the results. Distance travelled was calculated using post codes and the number of visits was calculated using investigations performed on separate days. Results: Patients who had Virtual Appointments had no statistical difference in the number of investigations or visits to have investigations. The care between Virtual Appointments and Face to Face appointments is found to be equitable. The distance travelled for both types of appointment is therefore not different, but if the initial appointment is taken into consideration where there was no travel for the Virtual Appointment patients, then the reduction in miles travelled is 5002km and a resulting carbon saving of 784 kgCO2eq. Conclusion: Virtual Clinics in Cardiology offer an equitable service but only a small reduction in travel.