The CONNECT Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The CONNECT Study: Understanding the Impact of Remote Consultations in Sexual and Reproductive Health Services on Health Inequalities
IRAS ID
324066
Contact name
Louise Jackson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
TITLE: The CONNECT Study: Understanding the Impact of Remote Consultations in Sexual and Reproductive Health Services on Health Inequalities
SUMMARY: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a rapid move from in-person (face-to-face) consultations for health services to remote consultations (by telephone, video, online or text). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a common and serious public health problem in the UK, particularly affecting young people, men who have sex with men, minority ethnic groups, and those from lower socio-economic groups. The efficient delivery of equitable services is an important priority within sexual and reproductive health services, however, little is known about how best to carry out remote consultations to minimise risks and maximise potential benefits to service users.
This study aims to improve care for patients by informing service planning and provision. The study has three interconnecting work packages which will aim to:
1) Examine what the current published evidence is relating to remote consultations in sexual and reproductive health services, and in other clinical areas where stigma can be experienced.
2) Look at how has the introduction of remote consultations impacted on health inequalities in terms of access to sexual and reproductive health services and on clinical outcomes.
3) Identify the experiences of clinicians and patients of remote service delivery and what can be done to reduce inequality by completing interviews with approximately 60 service users, and 45 clinicians, service managers and commissioners at three case study areas (Birmingham, Wales, London).
4) Review how can remote sexual and reproductive health consultations best be delivered going forward.
With the engagement of stakeholders and insights from patients and the public the study will collectively generate a plan to disseminate and implement the key findings and recommendations from the research.
The study is expected to run for 2 years.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
23/NS/0128
Date of REC Opinion
15 Dec 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion