Tara Conlan 

Embarrassing Bodies: Live From the Clinic back with video symptom checks

New series of Channel 4 hit will allow viewers to interact with show's doctors via iPhone app or online health checker. By Tara Conlan
  
  

Embarrassing Bodies: Live From the Clinic
Dr Christian Jessen, co-host of Embarrassing Bodies: Live From the Clinic. Photograph: Channel 4 Photograph: Channel 4

Ground-breaking Channel 4 series Embarrassing Bodies: Live From the Clinic is to return with a new feature that allows viewers to check their health via iPhone or a video symptom checker, through which users can interact with the show's doctors.

As in the first series, Live From the Clinic will show doctors providing live consultations to as many viewers as possible via Skype.

Viewers with an iPhone will also be able to download a free app, called MyHealthChecker, which will enable audiences to carry out simple tests such as colour blindness.

Viewers can then track results over time via the app and the show's website and share them with their GP.

The new series will be aired from a special purpose-built studio in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, and will be fronted by Dr Christian Jessen and Dr Dawn Harper, who will be joined by a team of GPs and specialists.

According to figures from Channel 4, the first series resulted in savings for the NHS of £400,000, roughly the equivalent of four fully equipped ambulances or 19 nurses' starting salaries.

More than 450,000 people have already registered with MyHealthChecker, which enables users to take a variety of medical checks, get advice on how to improve their health and compare their results anonymously with other users.

Health is proving a popular topic for Channel 4 and Embarrassing Bodies producer Maverick Television.

The Embarrassing Bodies website has had more than twelve million visitors to date and the show is returning for a fifth series in March.

Channel 4 has also commissioned MyMoleChecker, an iPhone app which offers users a chance to photograph and track their moles over time, share with GPs, and receive reminders for regular check-ups.

Embarrassing Bodies: Live From the Clinic was commissioned by Kate Teckman, features commissioning editor at Channel 4, and will be executive produced by Sarah Eglin.

"We've had a fantastic response from viewers last year and there's clearly a huge demand for the doctors' no-nonsense advice available in the programme and on the website," said Teckman. "I believe that this series will be even more compelling to viewers by being more innovative and interactive."

• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email editor@mediatheguardian.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".

• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook.

 

Leave a Comment

Required fields are marked *

*

*