Use and Perception of Video Consultations Among Swedish Dietitians Before and After COVID‐19 Onset

PMCID: PMC12177270

PMID: 40534156

DOI: 10.1111/jhn.70080

Journal: Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association

Publication Date: 2025-6-18

Authors: Persson S, Liljegren AE, Olsson C, Rydén P

Key Points

• Video consultation usage among Swedish Registered Dietitians increased over 300% between 2016 and 2021
• 89% of RDs using VCs in 2021 reported a positive attitude toward telehealth in clinical practice
• Telehealth may provide critical healthcare access during crises, particularly for patients in remote or underserved areas

Summary

This Swedish study investigated the use and perceptions of video consultations (VCs) among Registered Dietitians (RDs) before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing a dramatic increase in telehealth adoption. Between 2016 and 2021, VC usage among RDs surged from 16% to 67%, with 75% of new users adopting the technology during the pandemic. The research explored how VCs might impact healthcare access, treatment quality, and patient-provider relationships through the lens of patient-centered healthcare access.

The study found that despite initial reservations, RDs increasingly viewed VCs as a viable alternative to face-to-face consultations. Notably, 85-88% of RDs believed VCs could increase access to dietetic care, with approximately half perceiving no significant reduction in treatment or relational quality. However, RDs expressed caution about using VCs for consultations requiring language interpretation, highlighting potential accessibility limitations for certain patient populations.