Currently I am Associate Professor of Primary Care Research and Digital Health lead at the Unit of Academic Primary Care, Warwick Medical School. My expertise is in use of digital routes of access to general practice, and alternatives to the face-to-face consultation, such as email and video. My professional roles include membership of the NHS England Primary Care Digital Transformation Advisory Board and I advise professional bodies and NHS organisations in the evidence based use of digital consultations in general practice. I am an associate editor for the journal 'Digital Health' and sit on the Royal College of General Practitioners Scientific Foundation Board. I lead studies that focus on how digital technologies impact on patients and healthcare professionals in general practice settings. Whilst I use mixed method approaches, my particular expertise is in qualitative and review methodology.
I am a health services researcher and my career has been exclusively in primary care research. Before joining the Unit of Academic Primary Care at Warwick in Nov 2015 I was a NIHR School for Primary Care Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, where I established my post-doctoral research programme. Prior to that I completed a PhD in Primary Care Health Services Research at Imperial College London. My first research post in 2005 was at St George's, University of London. I have a Master of Public Health (Imperial College), and MSc in Biological Anthropology and a BSc in Ecology (University of Durham).
- Sexton, Vanashree, Dale, Jeremy, Bryce, Carol, Barry, James, Sellers, Elizabeth, Atherton, Helen, 2022. Service use, clinical outcomes and user experience associated with urgent care services that utilise telephone based digital triage : a systematic review. BMJ Open, 12 (1)
- Gauly, Julia, Atherton, Helen, Ross, Jonathan D. C., 2021. Uptake and user characteristics for pharmacy-based contraception and chlamydia treatment : a quantitative retrospective study from the UK. Pharmacy, 9 (1)
- Stevenson, Fiona A., Seguin, Maureen, Leydon-Hudson, Geraldine, Barnes, Rebecca, Ziebland, Sue, Pope, Catherine, Murray, Elizabeth, Atherton, Helen, 2021. Combining patient talk about internet use during primary care consultations with retrospective accounts. A qualitative analysis of interactional and interview data. Social Science & Medicine, 272
- Sexton, Vanashree, Dale, Jeremy, Atherton, Helen, 2021. An evaluation of service user experience, clinical outcomes and service use associated with urgent care services that utilise telephone-based digital triage : a systematic review protocol. Systematic Reviews, 10 (1)
- Taylor, Anna K., Kingstone, Tom, Briggs, Tracy A., O'Donnell, Catherine A., Atherton, Helen, Blane, David N., Chew-Graham, Carolyn A., 2021. 'Reluctant pioneer' : a qualitative study of doctors' experiences as patients with long COVID. Health Expectations, 24 (3), pp. 833-842
- Cuteanu, Anita, Seguin, Maureen, Ziebland, Sue, Pope, Catherine, Leydon, Geraldine, Barnes, Rebecca, Murray, Elizabeth, Atherton, Helen, Stevenson, Fiona A., 2021. Qualitative study : patients' enduring concerns about discussing internet use in general practice consultations. BMJ Open, 11 (4)
- Parsons, Joanne, Bryce, Carol, Atherton, Helen, 2021. Which patients miss appointments with general practice and why? A systematic review. British Journal of General Practice, 2020
- Bryce, Carol, O'Connell, Matthew D. L., Dale, Jeremy, Underwood, Martin, Atherton, Helen, 2021. Online and telephone access to general practice : a cross sectional patient survey. BJGP Open, 5 (4)
- Parsons, Joanne, Griffiths, Sarah E., Thomas, Nicky, Atherton, Helen, 2021. How effective are digital interventions in increasing flu vaccination among pregnant women? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Public Health
- McMillan, Brian, Davidge, Gail, Brown, Lindsey, Lyons, Moira, Atherton, Helen, Goulding, Rebecca, Mold, Freda, Morris, Rebecca, Sanders, Caroline, 2021. A qualitative exploration of patients' experiences, needs, and expectations regarding online access to their primary care record. BMJ Open, 11
- Powell, John, Williams, Veronika, Atherton, Helen, Bennett, Kylie, Yang, Yaling, Davoudianfar, Mina, Hellsing, Annika, Martin, Angela, Mollison, Jill, Shanyinde, Milensu, Yu, Ly-Mee, Griffiths, Kathleen M, 2020. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a self-guided internet intervention for social anxiety symptoms in a general population sample : randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22 (1)
- Atherton, Helen, Boylan, A. M., Eccles, Abi, Fleming, Joanna, Goyder, C. R., Morris, R. L., 2020. Email consultations between patients and doctors in primary care : a content analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22 (11)
- Gauly, Julia, Atherton, Helen, Kimani, Peter K., Ross, Jonathan, 2020. Utilisation of pharmacy-based sexual and reproductive health services : a quantitative retrospective study. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 97 (2), pp. 126-133
- Doherty, A. J., Atherton, H., Boland, P., Hastings, R. P., Hives, L., Hood, K., James-Jenkinson, L., Leavey, R., Randell, E., Reed, J., Taggart, L., Wilson, N., Chauhan, U., 2020. Barriers and facilitators to primary healthcare for people with intellectual disabilities and/or autism : an integrative review. BJGP Open, 4 (3)
- Thiyagarajan, A., Grant, Claire, Griffiths, Frances, Atherton, Helen, 2020. Exploring patients' and clinicians' experiences of video consultations in primary care : a systematic scoping review. BJGP Open, 4 (1)
- Turk, Amadea, Fleming, Joanna, Powell, John, Atherton, Helen, 2020. Exploring UK doctors' attitudes towards online patient feedback : thematic analysis of survey data. Digital Health, 6, pp. 1-9
- Parsons, Joanne, Atherton, Helen, 2020. How effective are digital interventions in increasing flu vaccination amongst pregnant women? A systematic review protocol. Systematic Reviews, 9 (1)
- Gauly, Julia, Ross, Jonathan, Parsons, Joanne, Atherton, Helen, 2020. Staff and users' experiences of pharmacy-based sexual and reproductive health services : a qualitative interview study from the UK. Pharmacy, 8 (4)
- Kingstone, Tom, Taylor, Anna K., O'Donnell, Catherine A., Atherton, Helen, Blane, David N., Chew-Graham, Carolyn A., 2020. Finding the 'right' GP : a qualitative study of the experiences of people with long-COVID. BJGP Open, 4 (5)
- Eccles, Abi, Hopper, Michael, Turk, Amadea, Atherton, Helen, 2019. Patient use of an online triage platform : a mixed-methods retrospective exploration in UK primary care. British Journal of General Practice, 69 (682), pp. e336-e344
- Donaghy, E., Atherton, Helen, Hammersley, V., McNeilly, H., Bikker, A., Robbins, L., Campbell, J., McKinstry, B., 2019. Acceptability, benefits, and challenges of video consulting : a qualitative study in primary care. British Journal of General Practice, 69 (686), pp. e586-e594
- Gauly, Julia, Ross, Jonathan, Hall, Isobel, Soda, Irekanmi, Atherton, Helen, 2019. Pharmacy-based sexual health services : a systematic review of experiences and attitudes of pharmacy users and pharmacy staff. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 95 (7), pp. 488-495
- Atherton, Helen, Fleming, Joanna, Williams, Veronika, Powell, John, 2019. Online patient feedback : a cross-sectional survey of the attitudes and experiences of United Kingdom health care professionals. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, 24 (4), pp. 235-244
- Powell, John, Atherton, Helen, Williams, Veronika, Mazanderani, Fadhila, Dudhwala, Farzana, Woolgar, Steve, Boylan, Anne-Marie, Fleming, Joanna, Kirkpatrick, Susan, Martin, Angela, van Velthoven, Michelle, de Iongh, Anya, Findlay, Douglas, Locock, Louise, Ziebland, Sue, 2019. Using online patient feedback to improve NHS services : the INQUIRE multimethod study. Health Services and Delivery Research, 7 (38), pp. 1-150
- Atherton, Helen, 2019. Digitally enabled primary care : the emperor's new clothes?. British Journal of General Practice, 69 (686), pp. 420-421
- Stevenson, F. A., Hall, L., Seguin, M., Atherton, Helen, Barnes, R., Leydon, G., Murray, E., Pope, C., Ziebland, S., 2019. General Practitioner use of online resources during medical visits : managing the boundary between inside and outside the clinic. Sociology of Health and Illness, 41 (S1), pp. 65-81
- Ignatowicz, Agnieszka, Atherton, Helen, Bernstein, Celia J., Bryce, Carol, Court, Rachel A., Sturt, Jackie, Griffiths, Frances, 2019. Internet videoconferencing for patient-clinician consultations in long-term conditions : a review of reviews and applications in line with guidelines and recommendations. Digital Health, 5
- Hammersley, Victoria, Donaghy, Eddie, Parker, Richard, McNeilly, Hannah, Atherton, Helen, Bikker, Annemieke, Campbell, John, McKinstry, Brian, 2019. Comparing the content and quality of video, telephone, and face-to-face consultations : a non-randomised, quasi-experimental, exploratory study in UK primary care. British Journal of General Practice, 69 (686), pp. e595-e604
- Atherton, Helen, Brant, Heather, Ziebland, Sue, Bikker, Annemieke, Campbell, John, Gibson, Andy, McKinstry, Brian, Porqueddu, Tania, Salisbury, Chris, 2018. Alternatives to the face-to-face consultation in general practice : focused ethnographic case study. British Journal of General Practice, 68 (669), pp. e293-e300
- Armoiry, Xavier, Sturt, Jackie, Phelps, Emma Elizabeth, Walker, Clare, Court, Rachel A., Taggart, Frances M., Sutcliffe, Paul, Griffiths, Frances, Atherton, Helen, 2018. Digital clinical communication for families and caregivers of children or young people with short- or long-term conditions : rapid review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 20 (1)
- Verran, Alice, Uddin, Ayesha, Court, Rachel A., Taggart, Frances M., Sutcliffe, Paul, Sturt, Jackie, Griffiths, Frances, Atherton, Helen, 2018. Effectiveness and impact of networked communication interventions in young people with mental health conditions : a rapid review. Digital Health, 4
- Seguin, Maureen, Hall, Laura, Atherton, Helen, Barnes, Rebecca, Leydon, Geraldine, Murray, Elizabeth, Pope, Catherine, Ziebland, Sue, Stevenson, Fiona A., 2018. Protocol paper for the ?Harnessing resources from the internet to maximise outcomes from GP consultations (HaRI)' study: a mixed qualitative methods study. BMJ Open, 8
- Atherton, Helen, Brant, Heather, Ziebland, Sue, Bikker, Annemieke, Campbell, John, Gibson, Andy, McKinstry, Brian, Porqueddu, Tania, Salisbury, Chris, 2018. The potential of alternatives to face-to-face consultation in general practice, and the impact on different patient groups : a mixed-methods case study. Health Services and Delivery Research, 6 (20)
- Eccles, Abi, Bryce, Carol, Turk, Amadea, Atherton, Helen, 2018. Patient and public involvement mobile workshops - convenient involvement for the un-usual suspects. Research Involvement and Engagement, 4
- Brant, Heather Dawn, Atherton, Helen, Bikker, Annemieke, Porqueddu, Tania, Salisbury, Chris, McKinstry, Brian, Campbell, John, Gibson, Andy, Ziebland, Sue, 2018. Receptionists' role in new approaches to consultations in primary care: a focused ethnographic study. British Journal of General Practice, 68 (672), pp. e478-e486
- Brant, H., Atherton, Helen, Bikker, A., Porqueddu, T., Salisbury, C., McKinstry, B., Campbell, J., Gibson, A., Ziebland, S., 2018. Receptionists' role in new approaches to consultations in primary care : focused ethnographic study. British Journal of General Practice, 68 (672), pp. e478-e486
- van Velthoven, Michelle H., Atherton, Helen, Powell, John, 2018. A cross sectional survey of the UK public to understand use of online ratings and reviews of health services. Patient Education and Counseling, 101 (9), pp. 11690-11696
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Griffiths, Frances, Armoiry, Xavier, Atherton, Helen, Bryce, Carol, Buckle, Abigail, Cave, Jonathan A. K., Court, Rachel A., Hamilton, Kathryn, Dliwayo, Thandiwe Rebecca, Dritsaki, Melina, Elder, Patrick, Forjaz, Vera, Fraser, Joe, Goodwin, Richard, Huxley, Caroline J., Ignatowicz, Agnieszka, Karasouli, Eleni, Kim, Sung Wook, Kimani, Peter K., Madan, Jason et al (Select to open full list), 2018.
- Powell, John, Atherton, Helen, Williams, Veronika, Martin, Angela, Bennett, Kylie, Bennett, Anthony, Mollison, Jill, Yu, Ly-Mee, Yang, Yaling, Locock, Louise, Davoudianfar, Mina, Griffiths, Kathleen M, 2017. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a fully self-guided internet-based intervention for sub-clinical social anxiety symptoms : protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Digital Health, 3
- Bikker, A. P., Atherton, Helen, Brand, H., Porqueddu, T., Campbell, J. L., Gibson, A., McKinstry, B., Salisbury, C., Ziebland, S., 2017. Conducting a team-based multi-sited focused ethnography in primary care. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 17
- Watson, Jessica, Salisbury, Chris, Atherton, Helen, Campbell, John, McKinstry, Brian, Ziebland, Sue, 2016. Proliferation of private online healthcare companies. BMJ
- Brant, Heather, Atherton, Helen, Ziebland, Sue, McKinstry, Brian, Campbell, John, Salisbury, Chris, 2016. Using alternatives to face-to-face consultations : a survey of prevalence and attitudes in general practice. British Journal of General Practice
- Atherton, Helen, Ziebland, S., 2016. What do we need to consider when planning, implementing and researching the use of alternatives to face-to-face consultations in primary healthcare?. Digital Health, 2
- Griffiths, Frances, Atherton, Helen, Barker, Jack R., Cave, Jonathan A. K., Dennick, Kathryn, Dowdall, Peter, Fraser, Joe, Huxley, Caroline J., Sung -Wook, Kim, Madan, Jason, Matharu, Harjit, Musumadi, Luhanga, Palmer, Tom M., Paul, Moli, Sankaranarayanan, Sailesh, Slowther, Anne, Sujan, Mark-Alexander, Sutcliffe, Paul, Sturt, Jackie, 2015. Improving health outcome for young people with long term conditions : the role of digital communication in current and future patient-clinician communication for NHS providers of specialist clinical services for young people receiving specialist clinical services - LYNC study protocol. Digital Health, pp. 1-13
- Huxley, Caroline J., Atherton, Helen, Watkins, Jocelyn, Griffiths, Frances, 2015. Digital communication between clinician and patient in General Practice and the impact on marginalised groups : a realist review. British Journal of General Practice
- Newhouse, Nikki, Lupiáñez-Villanueva, Francisco, Codagnone, Cristiano, Atherton, Helen, 2015. Patient use of email for health care communication purposes across 14 European countries : an analysis of users according to demographic and health-related factors. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 17 (3)
- Fleming, Susannah, Atherton, Helen, McCartney, David, Hodgkinson, James, Greenfield, Sheila, Hobbs, Frederick David Richard, Mant, Jonathan, McManus, Richard J., Thompson, Matthew, Ward, Alison, Heneghan, Carl, 2015. Self-screening and non-physician screening for hypertension in communities : a systematic review. American Journal of Hypertension, 28 (11), pp. 1316-1324
- Goyder, Clare, Atherton, Helen, Car, Mate, Heneghan, Carl J., Car, Josip, 2015. Email for clinical communication between healthcare professionals. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015
- Calitri, Raff, Adams, Ann, Atherton, Helen, Reeve, Joanne L., Hill, Nathan R., 2014. Investigating the sustainability of careers in academic primary care : a UK survey. BMC Family Practice, 15 (1)
- Mickan, Sharon, Atherton, Helen, Roberts, Nia, Heneghan, Carl, Tilson, Julie K., 2014. Use of handheld computers in clinical practice : a systematic review. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 14 (1), pp. 1-10
- Beggs, Andrew, Dilworth, Mark, Powell, Susan, Atherton, Helen, Griffiths, Ewen, 2014. A systematic review of transarterial embolization versus emergency surgery in treatment of major nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Clinical and Experimental Gastroenterology, 2014 (7), pp. 93-104
- Atherton, Helen, Pappas, Yannis, Heneghan, Carl, Murray, Elizabeth, 2013. Experiences of using email for general practice consultations : a qualitative study. British Journal of General Practice, 63 (616), pp. 760-767
- Mickan, Sharon, Tilson, Julie K, Atherton, Helen, Roberts, Nia Wyn, Heneghan, Carl, 2013. Evidence of effectiveness of health care professionals using handheld computers : a scoping review of systematic reviews. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 15 (10)
- Oakeshott, Pippa, Aghaizu, Adamma, Hay, Phillip, Reid, Fiona, Kerry, Sally, Atherton, Helen, Simms, Ian, Taylor-Robinson, David, Dohn, Birthe, Jensen, Jorgen S., 2010. Is Mycoplasma genitaliumin in Women the ?New Chlamydia?? a community-basedprospective cohortstudy. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 51 (10), pp. 1160-1166
- Atherton, Helen, Oakeshott, P., Aghaizu, A., Hay, P., Kerry, S., 2010. Use of an online questionnaire for follow-up of young female students recruited to a randomised controlled trial of chlamydia screening. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 64 (7), pp. 580-584
- Atherton, Helen, Huckvale, C., Car, J., 2010. Communicating health promotion and disease prevention information to patients via email : a review. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 16 (4), pp. 172-175
- Oakeshott, P., Kerry, S., Aghaizu, A., Atherton, Helen, Hay, S., Taylor-Robinson, D., Simms, I., Hay, P., 2010. Randomised controlled trial of screening for Chlamydia trachomatis to prevent pelvic inflammatory disease : the POPI (prevention of pelvic infection) trial. BMJ, 340, pp. c1642-c1642
- Atherton, Helen, Car, Josip, Meyer, Barbara, Majeed, Azeem, 2009. Email for clinical communication between healthcare professionals. The Cochrane Library
- Atherton, Helen, Car, Josip, Meyer, Barbara, 2009. Email for clinical communication between patients/caregivers and healthcare professionals. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
- Oakeshott, Pippa, Kerry, Sally M., Atherton, Helen, Aghaizu, Adamma, Hay, Sima, Taylor-Robinson, David, Simms, Ian, Hay, Phillip, 2008. Community-based trial of screening for Chlamydia trachomatis to prevent pelvic inflammatory disease: the POPI (prevention of pelvic infection) trial. Trials, 9 (1)
- Aghaizu, Adamma, Atherton, Helen, Mallinson, H., Simms, I., Kerry, S., Oakeshott, Pippa, Hay, P. E., 2008. Incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease in untreated women infected with Chlamydia trachomatis. international Journal of STD & AIDS, 19 (4), pp. 283-283
- Nathan, S., Thacker, E., Oakeshott, Pippa, Atherton, Helen, 2008. Use of opt-out in a trial of chlamydia screening. international Journal of STD & AIDS, 19 (2), pp. 143-144
- Atherton, Helen, Banks, Debbie, Harbit, Ruth, Long, Linzie, Chadd, Fiona, Hay, Phillip, Kerry, Sally, Simms, Ian, Oakeshott, Pippa, 2007. Recruitment of young women to a trial of chlamydia screening ? as easy as it sounds?. Trials, 8 (1)
- Atherton, Helen, Banks, D., Harbit, Ruth, Oakeshott, Pippa, 2007. Recruiting young women to a trial of chlamydia screening. International Journal of STD & AIDS, 17 (10), pp. 712-712
- Atherton, Helen, Briggs, Tracy, Chew-Graham, Carolyn, 2021. Long COVID and the importance of the doctor?patient relationship. British Journal of General Practice, Royal College of General Practitioners, pp. 54-55
- Bakhai, Minal, Atherton, Helen, 2021. How to conduct written online consultations with patients in primary care. BMJ, BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
- Atherton, Helen, McKinstry, Brian, 2018. Making technology-enabled health care work in general practice. British Journal of General Practice, Royal College of General Practitioners
- Eccles, Abi, Atherton, Helen, 2017. Automated telephone communication systems may have the potential to play a positive role in healthcare. Evidence Based Nursing, B M J Group
- A'Court, Christine, Atherton, Helen, Dalton, Andrew, Fleming, Susannah, Hirst, Jennifer, Nunan, David, Selwood, Mary, McManus, Richard J, 2013. Are there enough GPs in England to detect hypertension and maintain access?. British Journal of General Practice, Royal College of General Practitioners, pp. 346-347
- Atherton, Helen, 2013. Use of email for consulting with patients in general practice. British Journal of General Practice, Royal College of General Practitioners, pp. 118-119
- Atherton, Helen, 2013. Author's response to "Use of e-mail for consulting with patients in general practice Atherton, H. Use of e-mail for consulting with patients in general practice. Br J Gen Pract 2013; 63(608): 118?119". British Journal of General Practice, pp. 290-290
- Atherton, Helen, Majeed, Azeem, 2011. Social networking and health. The Lancet
Title | Funder | Award start | Award end |
---|---|---|---|
The impact of the large-scale implementation of online consultations in primary care in Norway: a mixed-methods evaluation on health system, general practitioners and patients | Research Council of Norway | 01 Aug 2021 | 31 Jul 2025 |
Use of automated mobile application as an alternative point of entry to healthcare WCPRS 2018 | Advanced Computer Software Group Limited | 01 Oct 2019 | 31 Mar 2023 |
Effects of a pandemic (COVID19) on GP registrars' training and career plans: what are the implications for vocational training in the future? The IMPACT study | Royal College of General Practitioners | 12 Oct 2020 | 30 Jun 2022 |
Digital Facilitators in Primary Care NIHR Digital Health Call via Exeter | National Institute for Health Research (DoH) | 01 Jun 2020 | 30 Jun 2022 |
The experiences and perceptions of older people, their carers and their general practice teams in using a 'telephone first' approeach for access to appointments NIHR RfPB T3 Full Application (outline 61742) | National Institute for Health Research (DoH) | 01 Jul 2020 | 30 Jun 2021 |
NIHR RDS award to Jo Parsons via University of Birmingham support the early involvement of patients and the public to help develop research funding application | National Institute for Health Research (NIHR DoH) | 24 Mar 2020 | 31 Dec 2020 |
NIHR RfPB Second Stage: Investigating patient use of, and experience of online booking in primary care | National Institute for Health Research (DoH) | 01 Jul 2019 | 31 Oct 2020 |
Content analysis of e mail consultations between general practitioners and patients | Royal College of General Practitioners | 01 Apr 2016 | 31 Oct 2020 |
PhD student project funded by University Hospitals Birmingham | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | 01 Oct 2017 | 30 Sep 2020 |
Care Research Network funding - CRN Core funding for 2019-2020 Additional funds link to 63705 | Keele University | 01 Oct 2019 | 31 Mar 2020 |
In-Practice Fellowship Dr Arun Thiyagarajan | National Institute for Health Research (DoH) | 01 Sep 2017 | 31 Aug 2019 |
"Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a fully self-guided internet-based intervention for sub-clinical social anxiety symptoms: pragmatic, population-based randomised controlled trial." | University of Oxford | 12 Nov 2015 | 01 Mar 2019 |
Feasibility, acceptability and nature of video consultation via the internet in general practice via University of Edinburgh | Chief Scientist Office | 01 Jan 2017 | 30 Jun 2018 |
INQUIRE | National Institute for Health Research (DoH) | 12 Nov 2015 | 31 Oct 2017 |
The potential of alternatives to face to face consultation in general practice, and the impact on different patient groups" | National Institute for Health Research (DoH) | 27 Jan 2016 | 31 Dec 2016 |