patients´ experiences about periodontal referrals
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understand Patients’ Experiences about the Periodontal Referral Process in the NHS and Private Setting in Greater Manchester
IRAS ID
342676
Contact name
Hugo Grancho Pinto
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NA, NA
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
Periodontitis is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world with a worldwide prevalence of 19% for its severe forms.
General dentists, hygienists and therapists have the skills and responsibilities to screen and diagnose periodontal disease and play a pivotal role on the referral of cases that are too complex to be treated in primary care. Clinical, personal, and economic factors of the referring professional and the specialist coupled with the patient’s preferences and means make the referral process a complex entity in the everyday practice of dentistry.
The factors that influence the process can be solely clinical, such as the periodontal diagnosis or systemic condition that complicate the treatment, but also non clinical factors. Patients, general dentists and specialists demographics, level of general dentist training, accessibility, fees and work relationship with the periodontist are amongst the non-clinical factors that influence the referral process.
To the best of our knowledge, up to this date, there is no study published exploring the patients’ perspective about the periodontal referral process.
This study aims to investigate patient views and experiences about the referral process in periodontology in Manchester. Qualitative methods will be used to understand the experiences and attitudes of patients regarding the referral process from general dentists, hygienists and therapists to specialist periodontists working at the University Dental Hospital in Manchester (UDHM) and specialist periodontists working in private practice in greater Manchester. A series of online focus groups with patients will be conducted and data will be analysed using thematic analysis and framework analysis. The study is planned to last up to 6 months.
This approach should allow a comprehensive understanding of the views of the patient about the referral process and ultimately benefit both patient care and the health service.REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SW/0120
Date of REC Opinion
16 Oct 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion