This form of one to one chat is inevitably going to be more expensive.
However other forms of chat services are available.
A 'one to many' health based chat trial was run about 18 months ago using
digital interactive television. This enabled a consultant (the 'one') to
chat to a number of patients (the 'many'). This was a dual moderated
process, so first any swear words etc were automatically removed, and then
messages were manually scanned and included into the flow of dialog.
Patients were anonymous. A chat event manager ensured that there was a
natural flow to the conversation and that it stays on topic. Patients would
see their message being published on screen within as little as 30 seconds,
and then a reply would be given by the consultant for all to see. The
session can be set up to run to a closed or invited user group, or open for
anyone to take part in. It was a one off session but the result were very
positive.
The results were not published but if anyone would like more information
contact me and I can send a summary.
Gavin McWhirter
Factor V
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01273 236624
-----Original Message-----
From: For developers/evaluators of computerised info for
patients/public. [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of andrew Herxheimer
Sent: 29 June 2004 18:52
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: NHS Direct web chat feasible but pricey, pilot finds
Message text written by Mark Duman
>An NHS Direct Online Clinical Enquiry Service (CES), through which a nurse
could diagnose symptoms by speaking to the patient over an web-based chat
connection, could be expensive and take up too much time, a report from the
Journal of Medical Internet Research shows.<
Dear Mark, and all,
an interesting report, but frustrating that it neither gives the reference
nor
names any of the authors. A black, or at least grey, mark to E-Health
Services for that. I'd like to suggest that anyone posting info about
published material on the list should routinely include a proper reference
to the source. Does anyone disagree?
Andrew Herxheimer
Emeritus Fellow, UK Cochrane Centre
9 Park Crescent, London N3 2NL UK
Phone : +44 20 8346 5470
Fax : +44 20 8346 0407
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
[log in to unmask]
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