1. Digital health and remote digital consultations:
views and experiences in sexual health clinic attendees
Dr Jake Bayley Consultant Physician
Barts Health

2. Background
Digital health is becoming increasingly important for the NHS
May lead to improved patient satisfaction and better access
Little data around attitudes of sexual health (GUM) attendees
Some trials in HIV positive patients – mainly resource poor areas and apps for medics rather than patients. Some small studies done (none in UK) about accpetability – good outcomes. Useful in rural arreas ?India and Australia. No data on acceptability for GUM attendees

3. Methods
Self-directed questionnaires in the waiting room (before appointment) for 2 weeks in November 2015
Data on demographics, education level, use of websites or apps on phone for sexual health consultations
Across 5 sexual and reprodcutive health clinics across East London
10 initial questionnaires were piloted for acceptability

4. Results 230 questionnaires returned (11% return rate) 74% aged 18-34
48% white, 23% black, 13% Asian
87% employed (part or full time), 16% students
2,500 patients seen in two weeks across all clinics

5. Results
85% would be happy to use a website to find information about sexual health and local clinics
Much more likely if educated to A-level or higher (136/150 versus 33/46, p=0.001)
Only 39% would be happy with a native app
More likely if has had an STI in last 12 months (22/40 versus 58/165, p=0.02)

6. Overall
Currently have a device for video consultation (i.e. Skype or FaceTime)
84%
(173/207)

7. Overall
Currently have a device for video consultation (i.e. Skype or FaceTime)
84%
(173/207)
Give consent for face to face remote digital consultation
51%
(105/207)

8. Overall
Currently have a device for video consultation (i.e. Skype or FaceTime)
84%
(173/207)
Give consent for face to face remote digital consultation
51%
(105/207)
Find web cam use acceptable for remote appointments
40%
(81/202)

9. Educated to GCSE level or less Educated to A-level or higher p-value
Overall
Educated to GCSE level or less
Educated to A-level or higher
p-value
Currently have a device for video consultation (i.e. Skype or FaceTime)
84%
(173/207)
67%
(31/46)
90%
(137/152)
0.001
Give consent for face to face remote digital consultation
51%
(105/207)
Find web cam use acceptable for remote appointments
40%
(81/202)

10. Educated to GCSE level or less Educated to A-level or higher p-value
Overall
Educated to GCSE level or less
Educated to A-level or higher
p-value
Currently have a device for video consultation (i.e. Skype or FaceTime)
84%
(173/207)
67%
(31/46)
90%
(137/152)
0.001
Give consent for face to face remote digital consultation
51%
(105/207)
37%
(17/46)
56%
(85/152)
0.01
Find web cam use acceptable for remote appointments
40%
(81/202)

11. Educated to GCSE level or less Educated to A-level or higher p-value
Overall
Educated to GCSE level or less
Educated to A-level or higher
p-value
Currently have a device for video consultation (i.e. Skype or FaceTime)
84%
(173/207)
67%
(31/46)
90%
(137/152)
0.001
Give consent for face to face remote digital consultation
51%
(105/207)
37%
(17/46)
56%
(85/152)
0.01
Find web cam use acceptable for remote appointments
40%
(81/202)
26%
(12/46)
46%
(68/147)
0.02

12. Conclusions Limitations Non-English speakers
Lower education attainment under sampled
No sexuality data
Majority of sexual health attendees do not want to use an app or have a digital remote appointment
Digital health revolution may serve certain populations better than others
Must be mindful of all populations in any service re-design