Appropriate Use of Healthcare Services: A GP-Patient comparison
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Appropriate Use of Healthcare Services:a GP-patient comparison
IRAS ID
170806
Contact name
Surinder Singh
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 3 days
Research summary
The current financial strain on the NHS makes the use of healthcare services a hot topic. This study is a comparison of the use of healthcare services between general practitioners and patients in London. This will be done by means of a questionnaire. The questionnaire is composed of 16 closed questions – there are 15 short clinical scenarios and one closed question detailing why patients may prefer attending A&E to another service. For each of the clinical scenarios there are four choices given – A&E, GP surgery, walk-in centre or other. For the final question detailing why A&E is preferred, a text box is provided for additional information. Some demographic data is also sought on the patient questionnaire, namely age, gender and educational background. Patients are asked to complete the questionnaire according to which service they would choose, and GP participants are asked to complete the questionnaire according to where they think a patient should seek help.
GP practices in North London will be approached for a chance to take part in the study. Upon agreement, GPs of the surgery will be emailed an online version of the questionnaire. Paper copies of the questionnaire will be placed at the reception desk of participating surgeries for patient participation. A poster will be placed at reception advertising the research.
Data collected from the complete questionnaires will be used to analyse the difference in GP and patient choices, whether there is a discrepancy in GP choices for health services and perceived (by the GP) and actual reasons for patient preferences for A&E.REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
15/WA/0048
Date of REC Opinion
5 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion