Table 3. Clinical tasks conducted during in-person musculoskeletal (MSK) consultations with the GP (n = 31). Clinical endorsement scores, physical examinations or artefacts scores and combined translatability to telehealth scores are assigned to the 12 clinical tasks observed during consultations
Clinical taskPhysical artefact(s)Clinical endorsement scorePhysical examination or artefacts scoreTranslatability to telehealth scoreVirtual care solution typeMSK specific?Implication
Physical examination
Blood pressureSphygmomanometer336/10Type 3NoModerately translatable to telehealth
Weight measurementWeight scale347/10Type 4NoRelatively easy to translate to telehealth
General inspectionNil246/10Type 3NoModerately translatable to telehealth
Palpation and movement testsExamination bed224/10Type 2YesHas the potential to be translated to telehealth
Reflex testsTendon hammer224/10Type 2YesHas the potential to be translated to telehealth
Management and/or investigation
Generating prescriptionsComputer, printer448/10Type 4NoRelatively easy to translate to telehealth
Generating information brochures or leafletsComputer, printer549/10Type 5NoEasy to translate over to telehealth
Generating referral lettersComputer, printer448/10Type 4NoRelatively easy to translate to telehealth
Pathology test interpretation or discussionComputer448/10Type 4NoRelatively easy to translate to telehealth
Reviewing letters from other healthcare personnelComputer448/10Type 4NoRelatively easy to translate to telehealth
Medication discussionTablet bottle448/10Type 4NoRelatively easy to translate to telehealth
Lifestyle discussionNil459/10Type 5NoEasy to translate over to telehealth
  • MSK = musculoskeletal