Background The Covid-19 pandemic led to a rapid increase in the use of virtual technologies (telephone; video) across healthcare. For palliative care patients, further evidence is required to inform integration of virtual technologies with traditional face-to-face consultations.

Aim To understand the benefits and limitations of a blended approach (mixing virtual and face-to-face consultations) to medical outpatient palliative care consultations.

Methods A mixed-methods study with a concurrent triangulation design was conducted. Phase 1 comprised an anonymous online survey of palliative medicine physicians in the UK. Survey questions were derived following a review of the literature and explored physicians’ experiences and opinions of different consultation modalities. Phase 2 comprised qualitative semi-structured interviews with palliative medicine patients exploring their perspectives of virtual and face-to-face outpatient clinics. Patients were recruited from palliative medicine outpatient clinics and interviewed via Microsoft Teams. Results from both phases were integrated and recommendations for clinical practice developed.

Results The online survey received 48 responses from professionals, and eight semi-structured patient interviews were conducted. Patients and physicians felt face-to-face consultations were necessary for clinical assessments and improved communication and relationship building. The main challenge was the physical burden from travel. Telephone consultations were useful for simple and finite problems such as medication reviews, but the physical separation introduced communication barriers and prevented clinical assessment. Video technologies supported physically-limited patients to access clinics and allowed for some clinical assessment to occur. The most appropriate modality for breaking bad news and/or providing psychosocial support was felt to be patient and situation dependent.

Conclusion The use of a blended approach to palliative medicine outpatient clinics is acceptable to patients and physicians and has the potential to capitalise on the benefits of each modality to deliver an effective and efficient service.