Talking Therapies PWP LTHC Study V 1.0.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Bridging the Gap: Patient and Practitioner Perspectives on Low-intensity Interventions for Long-Term Health Conditions
IRAS ID
356224
Contact name
Lisa Newson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Liverpool John Moores University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 28 days
Research summary
Patients with long-term health conditions (LTHCs) face a higher risk of developing common mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety, which can significantly impact their quality of life.
The NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression programme (formerly Improving Access to Psychological Therapies, IAPT) was introduced in 2008 to enhance access to evidence-based psychological therapies within the NHS. A key component of this programme is low-intensity interventions, based on Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), delivered by Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs, referred throughout this application as healthcare professionals).
Following the Five Year Forward View in 2014, efforts were made to expand these services to patients with LTHCs, particularly those patients with cancer, cardiac disease, chronic pain, COPD, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), medically unexplained symptoms (MUS), and eventually long-covid. Current guidelines suggest NICE-approved psychological therapies can help address associated mental health concerns relating to disease earlier, supporting self-management, and reducing higher utilisation of healthcare services.
Evidence suggests that while low-intensity interventions can improve depression, anxiety and impaired functioning outcomes in the general population, outcomes for patients with LTHCs can be less successful. Other evidence suggests that adapting treatment can improve outcomes for patients with LTHCs.
To address this, an LTHC Top-up Training programme was developed to equip PWPs with additional skills for working with these patients. However, the impact of this training on clinical practice remains underexplored.
This study will investigate these issues within an NHS Talking Therapies service. Up to 40 patients with co-morbid mental and physical health conditions will be interviewed about their treatment experiences with a PWP. Additionally, up to 30 PWPs will be interviewed to examine how the LTHC Top-up Training influences their approach to treatment.REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NW/0218
Date of REC Opinion
7 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion