Table 1.

Benefits and disadvantages of video consultations with private general practitioners.

Potential benefits	Potential disadvantages
• Rapid, convenient access to general practice services	• Increased antibiotic prescription rates/antimicrobial resistance – contradicts national campaigns
• Increased patient satisfaction	• Fragmentation of clinical documentation – contradicts integrated care efforts
• Potential to decrease burden on National Health Service primary care	• Lack of physical examination exposes to misdiagnosis
• Opportunity to educate patients	• Increased burden on National Health Service secondary care, due to bypassing of ‘gatekeeping’
• Access to rural areas	• Increased health inequalities