Table 1.

Description of case study sites

Practice referenceSize of practiceLocation of practiceDeprivation categorisation and decileaAlternative to the face-to-face consultation usedDays spent in observation, n
A18 353 registered patientsInner cityDeprived 3Telephone consultations, e-consultations,b isolated use of email25
B8954 registered patientsInner cityDeprived 3Telephone consultations, isolated use of email19
C15 000 registered patientsInner cityMixed 4Telephone consultations, e-consultations,b isolated use of email18
D1938 registered patientsRuralMixed 5Telephone, video8
E7196 registered patientsInner cityDeprived 1Telephone, e-consultations,b isolated use of email17
F13 778 registered patientsSemi-ruralAffluent 10Telephone, email25
G13 511 registered patientsSemi-ruralMixed 6Telephone, email16
H6597 registered patientsInner cityAffluent 10Telephone, email11
  • a Practices A–C and F–H based on the Index of Multiple Deprivation rank. Practices E and F measured by percentage of practice patients living in data zones defined as the 15% most deprived in Scotland (population weighted).

  • b All those using e-consults in the study were piloting the use of the software for free.