When face-to-face is not essential; to fit COVID-19 ‘social distancing’/lockdown rules; a virtual visit eliminates infection risks/COVID-19 fears for all stakeholders; patients/family, staff member/their family and colleagues, subsequent patients and the public.

More responsive; when an urgent ‘immediate’ review/decision is warranted, for example, Advanced Care Planningincluding Cardiopulmonary Resucitation/Do-Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitationif it feels less appropriate to do by phone, and would introduce a delay/require more time to visit in person.

When input is needed from people who can help inform/provide support, but are unable to be there in person in the home (because of COVID-19 social distancing, because at work, or not local/live abroad):

• Relatives/friends.

• Other relevant Health care professionals.

When more control over timing is wanted that is, any contributor can instantly end the video-call at any point—by contrast, not always as easy to leave/get staff member out of house, and there are fewer unpredictable delays, for example, professionals stuck in traffic on way to face to face visits.

To prevent unnecessary use of Personal Protective Equipment (COVID-19).

Personal choice; when a virtual visit is ‘preferred’ to face to face—for any or no reason.

When the convenience of a virtual visit is preferred, for example, over travelling to/waiting at an Out Patient Department assessment or when do not want to get house ready for visitors.

When would prefer the privacy, that is, no visitors in home.

In place of phone assessments, for more sensitive conservations/situations and to build rapport, when predictably need the enhanced communication from staff member’s facial, non-verbal cues.

For lip-reading patients to alleviate need of a mask/when phone will not work.

When ‘unhappy’ for any additional infective risk for themselves or their household, despite staff being ‘allowed’ within guidelines to visit.

When happy to put in more effort than would be required for a phone assessment (eg, prepare house shown on video, and own physical/body image).