How do PCNs affect patients’ experiences of continuity of care?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Do the organisational and workforce developments associated with the introduction of primary care networks (PCNs) affect patients’ experience of continuity of care?
IRAS ID
289322
Contact name
Sally Jacobs
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 24 days
Research summary
Primary care services will be increasingly delivered by collaborating networks of practices, known as Primary Care Networks (PCNs). The organisational and workforce developments associated with the introduction of PCNs may impact upon patients’ experience of continuity of care in a number of ways. For example, the introduction of new professionals into general practice can lead to a fragmentation of care.
Continuity of care can be defined in different ways in different settings. Continuity of care matters because it is a determinant of patient satisfaction with healthcare, improved (interpersonal) continuity has been associated with decreased mortality increased medicines adherence, and decreased hospital admissions. Patient safety may also be compromised by disruptions of cross-boundary continuity. Loss of continuity of care could disproportionately affect those groups of patients who place more value on, and who could derive greater benefit from, continuity of care (e.g. older people, those with long term conditions or chronic mental illness). It is therefore important that research is undertaken to understand the impact of these organisational changes on patient experience. This will inform and support DHSC and NHS England as the changes are rolled out. The study will do this through a survey of approximately 1200 patients at two time points and semi-structured interviews of approximately 50 patients and up to 30 GPs and other healthcare professionals.
This project is an extension of the DHSC-funded research project ‘Primary Care Networks: exploring primary care commissioning, contracting, and provision’ led by Professor Kath Checkland for the NIHR Policy Research Unit in Health and Social Care Systems and Commissioning (PRUComm), University of Manchester. The study will be conducted in the five PCN localities selected for the PRUComm study of PCNs.REC name
London - South East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/0079
Date of REC Opinion
24 Mar 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion