Exploring formal carers’ experiences of a nurse-led virtual clinic for adults with learning disabilities and comorbidities

Background In response to national reports on avoidable deaths in people with learning disabilities, and as a reasonable adjustment to service provision, the author set up a nurse-led virtual clinic for people with learning disabilities and comorbidities, between 2017 and 2019, at an acute hospital in England. The virtual clinic involved video and phone consultations with formal carers working in group care facilities. Aim To examine formal carers’ perspectives on how the pilot nurse-led virtual clinic for people with learning disabilities and comorbidities affected their caregiving role and the health of those they supported. Method A qualitative approach was used involving semi-structured interviews with 15 carers who had participated in the virtual clinic. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Two main themes emerged, empowerment and values. Carers felt that participation in the virtual clinic empowered them, through the provision of education and healthcare information resources as well as external support and collaboration with other health and social care professionals, and supported their fundamental caregiving values. Conclusion Virtual clinics can be beneficial for formal carers by providing them with greater autonomy, decision-making support and access to structured health education. In addition, this remote care model can enhance collaboration between carers and other members of the multidisciplinary team. Digital innovations, such as virtual clinics, could help to reduce the health inequities experienced by people with learning disabilities by upskilling formal carers to enhance early recognition of deterioration in their health status.