Evaluating the headache pathway
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Evaluating the headache pathway: patients’ views and experiences.
IRAS ID
197698
Contact name
Leone Ridsdale
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Headache is the most common symptom reported, affecting more than 90% of people at some point in their lives. Most people manage the symptoms themselves, but over 4% of adults see their General Practitioner (GP) with complaints of headache each year. GPs manage 97% of headache episodes, but 1 in 50 (2%) episodes are referred to neurologists, and 1 in 100 (1%) to other specialists or neuroimaging. In fact, GPs admit that they have made referrals in situations where they were unable to reassure the patient. Previous research has identified that the main reason for GP referral of people with headache is to get a scan. The Department of Health has supported GPs having more access to scans, including MRI bran scans. This study will help fill a gap in the knowledge of whether direct access to imaging helps patients with headaches. The main aim of this study is to describe patients’ views of open access to MRI brain scans for headache versus MRI access through neurologist referral. We will recruit 10 patients who have had a scan requested by their GP, and 10 who have been scanned requested by a neurologist. These patients will be interviewed to describe their attitudes and experiences towards their pathway through headache services. The results will inform clinicians, commissioners, and users about the advantages and challenges to creating a new direct access service.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0326
Date of REC Opinion
19 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion