GP and Consultant case study: Cardiology

Dr Andrew Ross works at Hetherington Group Practice in Lambeth. He uses Phone Advice & Guidance on the Consultant Connect App to speak to local consultants in a range of specialties. He also has access to consultants on the National Consultant Network and can use Photo Advice & Guidance to send images to local dermatologists.

Dr Ross and Dr Davey discuss how speaking to each other using Phone Advice & Guidance allowed them to arrange the most appropriate care for a patient.

Dr Davey’s Perspective:

“A young man had recently returned from holiday where he had experienced chest pains and had gone into the local hospital. Whilst there, he was diagnosed with Pericarditis.

The patient then saw Dr Ross in England about two weeks later with ongoing symptoms. Dr Ross wanted to know whether, at this stage, the fact that symptoms were ongoing was compatible with the diagnosis. I was able to reassure him that this was the case and that some simple outpatient tests and treatment for his inflamed pericardium was appropriate.

Dr Ross then informed me that the patient had taken cocaine. This changed the complexion of the case and I informed him that we needed to be certain that the symptoms were not due to a complication of cocaine which can cause heart attacks and through this an inflammation of the lining of the heart.”

How Phone Advice & Guidance helped:

“I advised Dr Ross to refer the patient to the local cardiology department to be absolutely certain that the cocaine had not damaged the patient’s heart as this would clearly have implications for the future. Dr Ross had already informed the patient about the dangers of cocaine use. In summary, therefore, I was able to help with the management of Pericarditis and at the same time advise appropriate evaluation to be certain that cocaine had not damaged this patient’s heart.”

Dr Ross’s Perspective:

“I find the Consultant Connect App very convenient for getting quick advice when needed from specialist consultants – in this case Cardiology. I was put through very quickly and gained the information I needed to manage the patient effectively.”

How Phone Advice & Guidance helped:

“The patient felt put at ease that this was all done whilst he was in the room with me and he did not have to wait or come back. By speaking with the specialist directly in the presence of the patient, I felt that he was more involved directly in his care and decision process and felt comfortable that the advice we were giving was appropriate. From my point of view it felt like a more ‘connected’ approach without the divide between primary and secondary care.”

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