Older people with multimorbidity: communication with GPs
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Communication between older people with multimorbidity and General Practitioners: A qualitative study
IRAS ID
241282
Contact name
Rebecca Hays
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 30 days
Research summary
Background
Good communication between patients and staff is essential for patient safety. It is needed for all aspects of care, including diagnosis and treatment. However, it can be difficult, especially when patients have complex needs and see a range of healthcare providers.This is the case for many older people who have two or more long-term conditions (known as multimorbidity), and it can put their patient safety at risk.
Research has typically focused on how staff speak to patients. However, a few studies have shown older people can change how they talk to staff, and this can result in them knowing more about, and being more satisfied with their care. Unfortunately, it is not clear how best to empower older people to communicate better, and no resources have been developed for people with multimorbidity.
This study is one of three designed to help us understand how patients talk to healthcare staff, and how they might be supported to improve communication and reduce risks to patient safety.
Aim
The aim of the study is to identify and describe 1) how older people with multimorbidity talk to GPs, particularly about their reason for consulting, unmet needs and concerns about patient safety; and 2) how the way patients and GPs interact may influence how patients talk to GPs.Method
We plan to study a collection of video-recorded consultations between patients and GPs. We will watch and listen to consultations where: the patients are aged 65+, have multimorbidity, and have agreed researchers can do this.We will use two different approaches to look at and identify 1) how patients talk to GPs, and 2) when patients talk to GPs in different ways.
Patient and Public Involvement
Patients, and carers of patients, with multimorbidity have helped us design this study, and will be involved throughout.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/NW/0368
Date of REC Opinion
15 May 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion