Photodiagnosis of genital herpes and warts within a specialist online sexual health service: an observational (mixed methods) study of user experience and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a pilot, free, online photodiagnosis service for genital herpes and warts with postal treatment delivered by a specialist digital sexual health service. SETTING: An online sexual health service available free of charge in South East London, UK. PARTICIPANTS: Routinely collected data from 237 users of the pilot service during the study period and qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of 15 users. INTERVENTION: A pilot, free, online photodiagnosis service for genital herpes and warts with postal treatment delivered by a specialist digital sexual health service. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of users who successfully uploaded photographs and the proportion diagnosed, treated and referred to face-to-face clinical services. User experience of this service. RESULTS: The service was accessed by 237 users during the study period with assessment possible for 86% of users based on the photographs provided. A diagnosis of genital herpes or warts was made for 40.5% and 89.6% were subsequently treated through the service. Eighteen per cent were diagnosed as normal/not needing treatment and 42% were signposted to clinic for further clinical assessment.Qualitative data showed that users felt able and willing to provide genital images for diagnosis. Those who were treated or reassured expressed high satisfaction with the service, valuing the convenience, discreetness and support provided. However, users, particularly those who required referral to other services requested more personal and detailed communication when a clinical diagnosis is given remotely. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that online photodiagnosis was feasible and acceptable. However, effective and acceptable management of those who require referral needs careful remote communication.

'A true partner around the table?' Perceptions of how to strengthen public health's contributions to the alcohol licensing process.

INTRODUCTION: There are increased opportunities for public health practitioners (PHPs) in England to shape alcohol availability and reduce harms through a statutory role in licensing processes in local government. However, how public health can effectively influence alcohol licence decision-making is little understood. METHODS: A mixed methods study was conducted to identify challenges faced by PHPs and mechanisms to strengthen their role. This involved a survey of practitioners across London local authorities (n = 18) and four focus group discussions with a range of licensing stakeholders (n = 36). RESULTS: Survey results indicated a varied picture of workload, capacity to respond to licence applications and levels of influence over decision-making among PHPs in London. Practitioners described a felt lack of status within the licence process, and difficulties using and communicating public health evidence effectively, without a health licensing objective. Strategies considered supportive included engaging with other responsible authorities and developing understanding and relationships over time. CONCLUSIONS: Against political and resource constraints at local and national government levels, pragmatic approaches for strengthening public health influence over alcohol licensing are required, including promoting relationships between stakeholders and offering opportunities for PHPs to share best practice about making effective contributions to licensing.

Processes, practices and influence: a mixed methods study of public health contributions to alcohol licensing in local government.

BACKGROUND: Public health in England has opportunities to reduce alcohol-related harms via shaping the availability and accessibility of alcohol through the licensing function in local government. While the constraints of licensing legislation have been recognised, what is currently little understood are the day-to-day realities of how public health practitioners enact the licensing role, and how they can influence the local alcohol environment. METHODS: To address this, a mixed-methods study was conducted across 24 local authorities in Greater London between 2016 and 17. Data collection involved ethnographic observation of public health practitioners' alcohol licensing work (in eight local authorities); a survey of public health practitioners (n = 18); interviews with licensing stakeholders (n = 10); and analysis of public health licensing data from five local authorities. Fieldnotes and interview transcripts were analysed thematically, and quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Results indicated that some public health teams struggle to justify the resources required to engage with licensing processes when they perceive little capacity to influence licensing decisions. Other public health teams consider the licensing role as important for shaping the local alcohol environment, and also as a strategic approach for positioning public health within the council. Practitioners use different processes to assess the potential risks of licence applications but also the potential strengths of their objections, to determine when and how actions should be taken. Identifying the direct influence of public health on individual licences is challenging, but the study revealed how practitioners did achieve some level of impact, for example through negotiation with applicants. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows public health impact following alcohol licensing work is difficult to measure in terms of reducing alcohol-related harms, which poses challenges for justifying this work amid resource constraints. However, there is potential added value of the licensing role in strategic positioning of public health in local government to influence broader determinants of health.