Exploring Access to MSk Outpatient Therapy Services (MSk-EATS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Are we providing person centred timely access to Musculoskeletal Outpatient Therapy Services? An exploratory study
IRAS ID
343873
Contact name
Sara James
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 1 days
Research summary
Waiting times for NHS services are of growing public interest. This is because accessing some services is getting more difficult, and we know that longer waits can result in negative impacts for those waiting.
People in Wales waiting for care for their musculoskeletal (MSk) problems are deemed to be cared for in good time if they get an appointment in less than 14 weeks. This target has been set by Welsh Government, for everyone who waits, no matter what condition they are waiting with and how that condition is affecting them.
We know that impact of wait for people with MSk problems can vary, from complete recovery, to worsening of their pain and function. The impact experienced seems to be influenced by factors such as their age and their mental health status.
This suggests that setting one target for all may not be the right thing to do. However, we don't yet know whether waiting over 14 weeks has a big effect on impact. We also don't know about the lived experience of those waiting, while they wait, despite knowing that learning this is vital to informing change.
We plan to study the impact of waiting for these services by asking those waiting to complete a survey that measures the impact of their MSk problem, at the start and end of their wait, and then understanding how the scores correlate with length of time waited. We will also ask some of these people to document their experience as they wait. We hope that this will provide an understanding of how effective the current target is at measuring access to these services, and whether we need to think differently. People will be able to complete this work in their own home.REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/EE/0283
Date of REC Opinion
7 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion