Remote mental health consultations in South London v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Staff and patients’ experiences of remote mental health consultations in South London
IRAS ID
362518
Contact name
Mariana Pinto da Costa
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 25 days
Research summary
During the COVID-19 pandemic, remote consultations using video or phone became more common in mental health care. These consultations provide convenience, reduce travel, and may improve access for some individuals. However, they also present challenges, such as a reduced personal connection and issues for those with limited access to technology. People’s experiences can differ depending on the type of mental health condition, the person’s needs, and the therapeutic relationship.
This study will explore the experiences of staff and patients in South London regarding remote mental health consultations. It will focus on whether these experiences differ across mental health conditions. Understanding these perspectives can help make services more effective, equitable, and tailored to different needs.
We will interview 10-20 adult patients with a diagnosis of a psychotic, affective or anxiety disorder, who have received remote consultations within South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM), and 10-20 mental health professionals who have delivered them. Interviews will be conducted one-on-one, either in person or via secure video conferencing, depending on preference. Each interview will be audio-recorded with consent. All information will be anonymised and stored securely, following data protection laws.
The interviews will be analysed to identify common themes, guided by attachment theory (a framework for understanding relationships and trust). The findings will be shared with healthcare providers, policy-makers and the public to help inform decisions about when and how remote consultations should be used.
This research is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council as part of a PhD project at King’s College London, and this qualitative study is expected to last for 9 months.REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/PR/1634
Date of REC Opinion
9 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion