Talking in Primary Care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Talking in Primary Care: A cluster-randomized controlled trial in primary care to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of communication skills e-learning for practitioners on patients’ musculoskeletal pain and enablement.
IRAS ID
312208
Contact name
Felicity Bishop
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research Integrity and Governance Team
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN18010240
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain is a common problem for patients and it is often related to conditions such as osteoarthritis. MSK pain can be difficult to treat and can affect peoples’ social life, wellbeing and employment. It can be tricky for Primary Care Practitioners (GPs, nurses, and primary care physiotherapists) to know how best to help.
Research shows that changing GP communication can help reduce pain and improve patients’ quality of life, satisfaction with their care, and also increase patients’ confidence to self-manage their health conditions. These could reduce the need for further treatments and appointment.
This trial involves a communication e-learning training package that we developed and tested in a small feasibility trial. It is accessible and brief. It aims to help increase expressions of empathy and realistic positive communication within remote and in-person primary care consultations
We will compare outcomes in GP practices that have been trained in the enhanced communication, with practices that have not had the training. We will measure the effects on patients’ pain, confidence in managing their symptoms, other symptoms, and quality of life with online questionnaires and interviews. We will also measure the economic costs of the training compared to any patient benefits. This enhanced communication might benefit all patients(not just those with MSK pain) so our project we will also include patients who present with other symptoms.
The research findings could enable the NHS to deliver better care for patients with musculoskeletal pain and other symptoms. If shown to be successful, this enhanced communication training could quickly be made available at low cost to primary care practices across the country.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SC/0145
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jul 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion