What's it about?
This study will find out whether it is possible to use a ‘digital doctor’ to diagnose why a person has experienced transient loss of consciousness (TLOC). The three common reasons for TLOC are epileptic seizures, faints and dissociative seizures. This is important because people with these conditions require different tests and treatments.
The ‘digital doctor’ is a talking head presented on a computer screen that asks questions about what happened, just like a human doctor would. The ‘digital doctor’ will also ask anyone who saw you lose consciousness some questions. All answers will be recorded by the computer and analysed automatically. The research team intend to ‘train’ the ‘digital doctor’ to use the answers of people who have experienced TLOC to decide the most likely cause.
At this stage the ‘digital doctor’ will not be used to provide a diagnosis for you, and you will not be informed of any predictions that the ‘digital doctor’ makes based on your responses. The ‘digital doctor’ will not influence any investigations or treatments that you are currently having nor will have in the future in any way.
What will I have to do?
The research team will share a link with you (and the person that saw you lose consciousness, if appropriate), so you can speak to the computer-presented ‘digital doctor’. This will take no more than 20 minutes and you will be able to answer some of the questions asked by the ‘digital doctor’ by speaking to the computer. The way you speak to the computer will be audio- and video-recorded through the camera and microphone built into your computer. Other questions will be written on the computer screen and you will be asked to click on the response you wish to give.
Although not essential, it would be good if someone who has seen your episodes could speak to the ‘digital doctor’ as well. Please show this information to anyone who saw you lose consciousness if they are interested in taking part.
You will be invited to provide feedback on your experience of using the ‘digital doctor’. You will be asked at the start of the appointment if you prefer to complete a questionnaire, be interviewed over the phone, or both after using the ‘digital doctor’. If you would rather not provide feedback, you can still take part.
How do I get involved?
Please read the patient information sheet:
For anyone who has seen you lose consciousness who would also like to take part, they should read the witness information sheet:
After reading the patient information sheet, please complete a “consent to contact” form:
The information you provide on the form will be shared with a member of the research team who will use it to contact you about the research project.
What are the benefits of taking part?
his research aims to investigate whether people’s responses to a ‘digital doctor’ can be used to diagnose different causes of TLOC. If the procedure works, we hope that this research will benefit patients presenting with transient loss of consciousness in the future because patients will be more likely to receive the right treatment more quickly.
Will I be paid/reimbursed for taking part?
Individuals who participate in the research project will be entered into a raffle to win a £10 amazon voucher. The raffle will repeat monthly. Participants will be entered into the raffle on the month that they complete the study procedure. The raffle will be drawn at the end of the month and the winner will receive the amazon voucher by email.