Photo-diagnosis study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Treating genital herpes and warts online with photo-diagnosis and self-management
IRAS ID
251492
Contact name
Paula Baraitser
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Existing face-to-face sexual health clinic (i.e. terrestrial services) management of genital herpes and genital warts is resource heavy both for healthcare services and for patients having to attend clinics. SH:24 is a community interest company that works in partnership with NHS sexual health clinics to help relieve demand on terrestrial services by providing online access sexual health screening, support, treatments and contraception. SH:24 have recently developed a digital pathway to diagnose, manage and treat genital herpes and genital warts using an online interface between patients (i.e. service-users) and clinicians. The service pathway set up by SH:24 routinely involves services-users uploading photographs of their genital lesions, receiving a remote diagnosis of genital herpes or warts, obtaining relevant treatment through the post and having access to ongoing online clinical support (through text or phone). Service-users are able to transfer back to terrestrial services at any point.
This study sets out to explore the acceptability and feasibility of this innovative photo-diagnosis and self-management online management pathway for genital herpes and genital warts, and its potential impact for service-users and the local sexual health services. The study will utilise five separate data sources, namely (i) routinely collected anonymised data from services-users who have accessed the service to provide an overview of service provision. (ii) A review of clinical notes to describe the type of interaction between SH:24 and service-users. (iii) A costs assessment to compare potential cost differences between online versus terrestrial management of these conditions. (iv) Qualitative service user interviews to explore their experiences of using the service (3 and 14 weeks after registering with the service). (v) Qualitative interviews with clinical staff directly involved in the service provision to explore their experiences of managing the conditions online.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/2007
Date of REC Opinion
20 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion