The junior doctor's virtual consulting room

Abstract

We assessed the usability of the Virtual Consulting Room (VCR), a Web-based guidance application providing direct access to specialist knowledge. The VCR guides the user through the patient journey from first presentation to final destination. Four pre-registration house officers (PRHOs) were informed of the availability of the VCR which was accessible from all ward computers at the Royal Free Hospital. During a six-week study, 52 patients were assessed by four PRHOs. The VCR was accessed for all 52 patients. A questionnaire was completed in 49 cases (94%). In 43 of the 49 cases (88%), the PRHOs reported that the VCR supported clinical decision-making, and in 46 cases (94%) it improved their knowledge. Use of the VCR altered the PRHOs investigations in 24 cases (49%), changed the management plan in 18 cases (37%) and the decision to refer in 10 cases (20%). The present study showed that the VCR was easy to use, educational, supported clinical decision-making and affected patient management.