Technologically-supported alternatives to face-to-face consultations (e.g. Skype, email) are often viewed as a solution to the complex challenges of delivering healthcare to an ageing and increasingly diverse population. Concerns have been expressed that alternative consultations may be clinically unsafe and less acceptable to patients and that they bring significant technical, logistical and regulatory challenges. The current evidence base, however, remains weak.
This seminar will examine the potential of alternatives to face-to-face consultations through a series of short talks on four separate research studies in primary and secondary care. Individual talks will be followed by panel discussion and Q&A with the audience.

Virtual online consultations in general practice
Sara Shaw, Interdisciplinary Research in Health Sciences (IRIHS), Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences

The potential of alternatives to face to face consultation in general practice, and the impact on different patient groups
Sue Ziebland, Health Experiences Research Group (HERG), Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences

A content analysis of email consultations between general practitioners and patients in two general practices
Anne-Marie Boylan, Health Experiences Research Group (HERG), Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences

VOCAL: online remote consultations in diabetes and cancer
Joe Wherton, Interdisciplinary Research in Health Sciences (IRIHS), Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences

This seminar follows from an event on ‘Digital Health in Primary Care’ organised by Digital Health Oxford (DHOx) in 2016.
For more information please visit the event page (www.meetup.com/Digital-Health-Oxford/events/230141103) and recordings of presentations by Helen Atherton from Warwick Medical School (vimeo.com/169835364), Steve Lillywhite from WebGP (vimeo.com/169834896) and Matteo Berlucchi from your.MD (vimeo.com/169083326).