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Contact Information:

Mrs Alice Faux-Nightingale
+44 1782 731750
a.faux-nightingale@keele.ac.uk


Dr Claire Burton
+44 1782 738213
c.burton@keele.ac.uk


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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - Defining an evidence base for the use of advice and guidance referrals
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Defining an evidence base for the use of advice and guidance referrals

Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Adult

Liverpool Wolverhampton

Medical Conditions

Defining an evidence base for the use of advice and guidance referrals

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


When a GP needs a specialist’s input with the care of a patient, one option is to use Advice and Guidance (A&G). A&G is an electronic way for a GP to ask a consultant a clinical question and a specialist responds, usually within a few days. The response may be to send an appointment for the patient to see a specialist, try a treatment, or do a test. A&G was introduced to speed up access to a specialist opinion and cut waiting times for outpatient care. A&G became more important during the COVID-19 pandemic as it meant patients did not automatically need to travel to hospital. The use of A&G is now encouraged to help the NHS recover from the pandemic. There are very few studies telling us whether A&G has a better or worse effect on patient care than the usual referral system.

We will study the impact of Advice and Guidance on patients, healthcare workers and the healthcare system, in terms of:
• how often, why and when A&G is used
• views about its impact on the quality of care and patient satisfaction
• impact on how NHS services are used.

This will help us to work out whether A&G reduces waiting times and access to specialist care as planned, without making the quality of patient care worse. This will be done in comparison to the more traditional way of referring patients to be seen by a specialist in outpatients.

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

01 Jul 2024 31 Mar 2026

Observational

Intervention Type : Other
Intervention Description : The BADGER study will interview up to 75 patient people. This will include 30 patients who have had Advice and Guidance used in their care, 40 clinical staff who use Advice and Guidance in their work in GP surgeries and hospitals (including doctors, nurses, pharmacists), and 5 healthcare commissioners. The interviews will ask participants about their experiences of Advice and Guidance, what works well and what doesn’t, and how they see the future for Advice and Guidance.

Participants will be required to complete the consent form prior to the interview, either by returning a signed consent form to the team prior to interview, or immediately prior to the interview during the interview appointment. An opportunity for questions will be provided prior to the interview. Interviews will take place at a mutually agreed location, for example, in the homes or local public space for public participants, or remotely using a platform such as MS Teams.

Participants will be thanked for their time in line with current guidance.



When a GP needs a specialist’s input with the care of a patient, one option is to use Advice and Guidance (A&G). A&G is an electronic way for a GP to ask a consultant a clinical question and a specialist responds, usually within a few days. The response may be to send an appointment for the patient to see a specialist, try a treatment, or do a test. A&G was introduced to speed up access to a specialist opinion and cut waiting times for outpatient care. A&G became more important during the COVID-19 pandemic as it meant patients did not automatically need to travel to hospital. The use of A&G is now encouraged to help the NHS recover from the pandemic. There are very few studies telling us whether A&G has a better or worse effect on patient care than the usual referral system.

We will study the impact of Advice and Guidance on patients, healthcare workers and the healthcare system, in terms of:
• how often, why and when A&G is used
• views about its impact on the quality of care and patient satisfaction
• impact on how NHS services are used.

This will help us to work out whether A&G reduces waiting times and access to specialist care as planned, without making the quality of patient care worse. This will be done in comparison to the more traditional way of referring patients to be seen by a specialist in outpatients.

Who can participate?
We will interview patients who have had experience of the A&G process. We will also interview clinicians and commissioners who are involved in using A&G.

What will the study involve?
Interviews are likely to last between 30 and 90 minutes and will be one off events. There will be no follow-up interviews. Participants will be free to pause or stop their interview at any point without any expectation to continue. Interviewers are not able to provide clinical advice and will advise participants to seek support from their own clinical teams if needed.  

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
By participating, patients will provide insight into and ideas about how A&G can be used effectively and safely in the care journey. Risks of being interviewed might include raising worries or concerns about healthcare.

Where is the study run from?
The research team is based at Keele University (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2024 to May 2026

Who is funding the study?
This study is funded by the NIHR HSDR (NIHR158681). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Who is the main contact?
research.badger@keele.ac.uk

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. Patients: participants will be excluded if they do not have capacity to consent for themselves, or are unable to meaningfully communicate about their experiences in an interview. If English is not their first language, translation services will be used so as not to exclude due to language barriers. 2. PCCs, SCSs, Commissioners: participants will be excluded if they have no experience or knowledge of using A&G.


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • NIHR CRN: North West Coast
    Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust Prescot Street
    Liverpool
    L7 8XP
  • NIHR CRN: West Midlands
    James House Newport Road Albrighton
    Wolverhampton
    WV7 3FA

This information has not yet been provided by the study team. You'll have an opportunity to discuss any risks and benefits that may be associated with this study prior to consenting to taking part.

Dr Claire Burton
+44 1782 738213
c.burton@keele.ac.uk


Mrs Alice Faux-Nightingale
+44 1782 731750
a.faux-nightingale@keele.ac.uk



The study is sponsored by Keele University and funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research / HSDR.



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What will you do next?
Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN12647415

Or CPMS 58336

Last updated 02 August 2024

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