MAXimising Involvement in MUltiMorbidity (MAXIMUM) in Primary Care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
MAXimising Involvement in MUltiMorbidity (MAXIMUM) in Primary Care: An observation and interview study of patients, GPs and other care providers to identify ways of reducing patient safety failures
IRAS ID
115913
Contact name
Peter Bower
Contact email
Research summary
According to the NHS National Patient Safety Agency, "A patient safety incident is any unintended or unexpected incident which could have or did lead to harm for one or more patients receiving NHS care." To date, most patient safety research has been undertaken in hospitals. There is little research from primary care, where the largest volume of patient contacts occur.
The focus of the study is on patients with “multimorbidity;" broadly defined as the presence of two or more long-term conditions. Patients with multimorbidity are potentially vulnerable to safety failures because of their increased interactions with services and the complexity of their problems. Additional characteristics, such as communication problems, mental illness or wider social circumstances could potentially increase or magnify these risks in some circumstances.
The aim of this study is to identify and develop patient and carer oriented interventions to minimize safety failures in patients with multimorbidity. To do this, we need to understand how multimorbidity can lead to safety problems, and how these problems might be avoided. We will recruit a group of patients with multimorbidity at risk of safety failures. Through case studies, we will explore how care is provided, and how people respond to potential safety issues over a two-year period.
We will observe consultations and interactions in the home, in primary care, and in pharmacies, between patients, their GPs and other care providers. We will interview patients about these interactions, and ask them to keep diaries about aspects of their care. We will also interview patients, GPs, and other care providers about care and safety.
We will analyse the data, exploring areas such as communication, the way decisions are made about care, and the way care is co-ordinated, to identify and develop patient and carer oriented interventions to minimize safety failures in patients with multimorbidity.
REC name
Wales REC 3
REC reference
14/WA/0037
Date of REC Opinion
18 Feb 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion