Groups for specific vs mixed diagnosis patients of chronic conditions
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Comparing an acceptance and commitment therapy group intervention for specific-diagnosis patients with mixed-diagnosis patients with chronic physical illness within a Clinical Health Psychology service.
IRAS ID
274421
Contact name
Holly Martin-Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Stirling
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Does a group programme already delivered in routine practice to patients who share a diagnosis from the same medical speciality (i.e. specific-diagnosis) show better outcomes than when modified for patients with diagnoses from a range of medical specialities (i.e. mixed-diagnosis)?
A large number of people live with a long-term condition (LTC) and the burden of living with a LTC is recognised on a societal and individual level. Links between LTCs and poorer mental health increase demand on psychological services. Consequently new initiatives try to reduce waiting times and increase the capacity of these services. Group programmes use resources efficiently and have been applied across a range of medical specialities. Our service has adopted a group programme based on a well evidenced psychological therapeutic approach called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), for patients with dermatology conditions showing promising outcomes. However we want to compare whether similar outcomes can be achieved with patients from a range of specialities.
We will conduct quantitative and qualitative research to answer the research questions a) Does an ACT group intervention for specific-diagnosis groups show greater change in health-related quality of life, illness beliefs and psychological distress versus mixed-diagnosis groups? b) Is there a difference in the feasibility and acceptability of an ACT group intervention between specific-diagnosis populations versus mixed-diagnosis populations? c) What are health professionals views on specific-diagnosis versus mixed-diagnosis groups and experiences of working with patients who have attended such groups?
Participants will be recruited from the Clinical Health Psychology waiting list at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust. Participants will attend 7, two-hour weekly sessions with an 8 week follow-up ‘reunion’, completing health related quality of life, illness perceptions, depression and anxiety questionnaires pre and post intervention. Subsequently patient participants and health professional participants will be invited to attend focus groups to discuss their views and experiences.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/NW/0125
Date of REC Opinion
1 Apr 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion