Exploring patient experiences of SMAs
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring patient experiences of shared medical appointments (SMAs)
IRAS ID
227604
Contact name
Abigail Morbi
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
With the ever-increasing burden of chronic disease, we need to look at ways to improve management, to improve clinical outcomes and decrease costs to healthcare systems. Shared medical appointments (SMAs) have been used in the USA for the management of patients with chronic disease. This has been shown to be effective, with evidence of patient and clinician satisfaction and clinical benefit. Whilst the concept of SMAs is not new, high quality research in the UK is lacking in this field.
A number of factors need to be considered when re-designing a model of care. Understanding the challenges involved in implementing change is key, and this includes ensuring engagement from patients. Before we can design a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of SMAs in the UK, we need to understand whether patients deem SMAs to be an acceptable alternative to standard care. Furthermore, we need to understand which aspects of SMAs patients perceive to be of benefit to them and which factors limit patient engagement with SMAs, identifying how to overcome the latter.
A minimum of 12 patients who have participated in SMAs will be recruited from across sites in the UK that have introduced SMAs. After giving informed consent, they will complete a semi-structured interview to evaluate their experience with and attitudes to SMAs. Analysis will allow identification of key factors that need to be considered and will aid the design of an SMA for use in the UK.
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0199
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jun 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion