scholarly journals Are the needs of people with multiple long-term conditions being met? Evidence from the 2018 General Practice Patient Survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e041569
Author(s):  
Lucina Rolewicz ◽  
Eilís Keeble ◽  
Charlotte Paddison ◽  
Sarah Scobie

ObjectivesTo investigate individual, practice and area level variation in patient-reported unmet need among those with long-term conditions, in the context of general practice (GP) appointments and support from community-based services in England.DesignCross-sectional study using data from 199 150 survey responses.SettingPrimary care and community-based services.ParticipantsRespondents to the 2018 English General Practice Patient Survey with at least one long-term condition.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcomes were the levels of unmet need in GP and local services among patients with multiple long-term conditions. Secondary outcomes were the proportion of variation explained by practice and area-level factors.ResultsThere was no relationship between needs being fully met in patients’ last practice appointment and number of long-term conditions once sociodemographic characteristics and health status were taken into account (5+conditions−OR=1.04, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.09), but there was a relationship for having enough support from local services to manage conditions (5+conditions−OR=0.84, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.88). Patients with multimorbidity that were younger, non-white or frail were less likely to have their needs fully met, both in GP and from local services. Differences between practices and local authorities explained minimal variation in unmet need.ConclusionsLevels of unmet need are high, particularly for support from community services to manage multiple conditions. Patients who could be targeted for support include people who feel socially isolated, and those who have difficulties with their day-to-day living. Younger patients and certain ethnic groups with multimorbidity are also more likely to have unmet needs. Increased personalisation and coordination of care among these groups may help in addressing their needs.

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. L. Bird ◽  
M. S. Y. Biddle ◽  
J. E. Powell

Abstract Background In the UK a high proportion of adults with long-term conditions do not engage in regular physical activity. General practice (GP) referral to community-based physical activity is one strategy that has gained traction in recent years. However, evidence for the real-world effectiveness and translation of such programmes is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the individual and organisational impacts of the ‘CLICK into Activity’ programme - GP referral of inactive adults living with (or at risk of) long-term conditions to community-based physical activity. Methods A mixed methods evaluation using the RE-AIM framework was conducted with data obtained from a range of sources: follow-up questionnaires, qualitative interviews, and programme-related documentation, including programme cost data. Triangulation methods were used to analyse data, with findings synthesised across each dimension of the RE-AIM framework. Results A total of 602 individuals were referred to CLICK into Activity physical activity sessions. Of those referred, 326 individuals participated in at least one session; the programme therefore reached 30.2% of the 1080 recruitment target. A range of individual-, social-, and environmental-level factors contributed to initial physical activity participation. Positive changes over time in physical activity and other outcomes assessed were observed among participants. Programme adoption at GP surgeries was successful, but the GP referral process was not consistently implemented across sites. Physical activity sessions were successfully implemented, with programme deliverers and group-based delivery identified as having an influential effect on programme outcomes. Changes to physical activity session content were made in response to participant feedback. CLICK into Activity cost £175,000 over 3 years, with an average cost per person attending at least one programme session of £535. Conclusions Despite not reaching its recruitment target, CLICK into Activity was successfully adopted. Positive outcomes were associated with participation, although low 6- and 12-month follow-up response rates limit understanding of longer-term programme effects. Contextual and individual factors, which may facilitate successful implementation with the target population, were identified. Findings highlight strategies to be explored in future development and implementation of GP referral to community-based physical activity programmes targeting inactive adults living with (or at risk of) long-term conditions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp20X711365
Author(s):  
Mayam Gomez-Cano ◽  
Helen Atherton ◽  
John Campbell ◽  
Abi Eccles ◽  
Jeremy Dale ◽  
...  

BackgroundGeneral practices are required to provide online booking to patients in line with policy to digitise access. However, uptake of online booking by patients is currently low and there is little evidence about awareness and use by different patient groups.AimTo examine variability in awareness and use of online appointment booking in general practice.MethodSecondary analysis of two questions from the GP Practice Survey data (2018) asking about awareness and use of online booking of appointments. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine associations with age, gender, ethnicity, deprivation, the presence of a long-term condition, long-term sickness and being deaf.ResultsIn total, 43.3% (277 278/647 064) of responders reported being aware of being able to book appointments online, while only 15% (93 671/641 073) reported doing so. There was evidence of variation by all factors considered, with strong deprivation gradients in both awareness and use (for example, most versus least deprived quintile OR for use: 0.63 (95% CI = 0.61 to 0.65). There was a reduction in awareness and use in patients >75 years of age. Patients with long-term conditions were more aware and more likely to use online booking.ConclusionWhile over 40% of patients know that they can book appointment online, the number that actually do so is far lower. With the constant push for online services within the NHS and the roll out of the NHS app, practices should be aware that not all patient groups will book appointments online and that other routes of access need to be maintained to avoid widening health inequalities.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e039625
Author(s):  
Jason I Chiang ◽  
John Furler ◽  
Frances Mair ◽  
Bhautesh D Jani ◽  
Barbara I Nicholl ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo explore the prevalence of multimorbidity as well as individual and combinations of long-term conditions (LTCs) in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) attending Australian general practice, using electronic health record (EHR) data. We also examine the association between multimorbidity condition count (total/concordant(T2D related)/discordant(unrelated)) and glycaemia (glycated haemoglobin, HbA1c).DesignCross-sectional study.SettingAustralian general practice.Participants69 718 people with T2D with a general practice encounter between 2013 and 2015 captured in the MedicineInsight database (EHR Data from 557 general practices and >3.8 million Australian patients).Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrevalence of multimorbidity, individual and combinations of LTCs. Multivariable linear regression models used to examine associations between multimorbidity counts and HbA1c (%).ResultsMean (SD) age 66.42 (12.70) years, 46.1% female and mean (SD) HbA1c 7.1 (1.4)%. More than 90% of participants with T2D were living with multimorbidity. Discordant conditions were more prevalent (83.4%) than concordant conditions (69.9 %). The three most prevalent discordant conditions were: painful conditions (55.4%), dyspepsia (31.6%) and depression (22.8%). The three most prevalent concordant conditions were hypertension (61.4%), coronary heart disease (17.1%) and chronic kidney disease (8.5%). The three most common combinations of conditions were: painful conditions and hypertension (38.8%), painful conditions and dyspepsia (23.1%) and hypertension and dyspepsia (22.7%). We found no associations between any multimorbidity counts (total, concordant and discordant) or combinations and HbA1c.ConclusionsMultimorbidity was common in our cohort of people with T2D attending Australian general practice, but was not associated with glycaemia. Although we did not explore mortality in this study, our results suggest that the increased mortality in those with multimorbidity and T2D observed in other studies may not be linked to glycaemia. Interestingly, discordant conditions were more prevalent than concordant conditions with painful conditions being the second most common comorbidity. Better understanding of the implications of different patterns of multimorbidity in people with T2D will allow more effective tailored care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 661-667
Author(s):  
Harry Cross ◽  
Carrie D Llewellyn

Abstract Background Persistent health inequalities in relation to both health care experiences and health outcomes continue to exist among patients identifying with a marginalized sexual orientation (MSO). Objective To compare the patterns of sexual orientation disclosure within primary care in England over a 5-year period. Methods Descriptive analysis of cross-sectional, repeat measure, fully anonymized survey data of adults responding to the General Practice Patient Survey (GPPS) January 2012 to 2017. Participants from each year varied between 808 332 (2017) and 1 037 946 (2011/2012). Results The analysis samples comprised between 396 963 and 770 091 individuals with valid sexual orientation data depending on the year. For males, heterosexual disclosure decreased consistently from 92.3% to 91.2% from 2012 to 2017. Male patients reporting gay, bisexual and/or ‘other’ sexual orientations increased from 3.1% to 3.9%. For females, a larger reduction in heterosexual disclosure was recorded from 94% to 92.5%. Those reporting as lesbian, bisexual and/or ‘other’ increased from 1.82% to 2.68%, with the largest increase seen in the reporting of bisexuality, which nearly doubled from 2012 until 2017 (0.56–0.99%). Conclusion We found a year-on-year decline in patients reporting a heterosexual identity and an increase in the proportions of people reporting being either gay, bisexual, ‘other sexual orientation’ or preferring not to say. Heteronormative environments extend to health care settings, which may put increased stress on MSO individuals attending a GP practice. The introduction of environmental signs/symbols to show that a practice is inclusive of MSOs could reduce the potential stress experienced by patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Zhu ◽  
D Edwards ◽  
S Kiddle ◽  
R Payne

Abstract Background Current clinical specialities, guidelines and quality of care metrics are organised around single diseases and treatments of multiple conditions are rarely coordinated, resulting in insufficient or even conflicting care. This study uses large scale English general practice (GP) records to identify and characterise clusters of patients based on their multimorbidity to allow better design of health services and highlight groups that require additional interventions. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study that includes multimorbid adult patients (N = 113,211), from a random sample of 391,669 English patients with valid GP records in 2012 where 38 long-term conditions were defined. Latent class analysis, stratified by age groups, was used to identify multimorbidity clusters. Class solutions are validated and associations between multimorbidity clusters, patient characteristics, public health service utilisation and mortality are assessed. Results Poor socioeconomic status is associated with clusters with higher service use and mortality risk. Physical-mental health co-morbidity is a major component of multimorbidity across all age strata. The clusters with highest age-stratified mortality risk in under 65 year olds were linked to alcohol and substance misuse, whereas in over 65 year olds they were linked to cardiovascular disease. The largest cluster in the 85+ years strata (58%) has the lowest number of morbidities, a low degree of service use and mortality. Consistency was seen across identification and validation data. Conclusions We find a clear distinction between morbidity clusters, both in the prevalence of long term conditions within them, and in their associations with outcomes (service use and mortality). Specific health services and interventions might be more effective when targeted on the distinct types of multimorbidity we have identified, with a particular focus on the morbidity clusters associated with the worst patient outcomes. Key messages The first study to derive age stratified multimorbidity clusters from a large GP record system, whose patients are representative of the English population. Knowledge about particularly dangerous clusters of multimorbidity, such as those involving alcohol and drug use in 18–64 years old, and cardiovascular disease in those 65 years or older.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. e018690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte A M Paddison ◽  
Gary A Abel ◽  
Jenni Burt ◽  
John L Campbell ◽  
Marc N Elliott ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo examine patient consultation preferences for seeing or speaking to a general practitioner (GP) or nurse; to estimate associations between patient-reported experiences and the type of consultation patients actually received (phone or face-to-face, GP or nurse).DesignSecondary analysis of data from the 2013 to 2014 General Practice Patient Survey.Setting and participants870 085 patients from 8005 English general practices.OutcomesPatient ratings of communication and ‘trust and confidence’ with the clinician they saw.Results77.7% of patients reported wanting to see or speak to a GP, while 14.5% reported asking to see or speak to a nurse the last time they tried to make an appointment (weighted percentages). Being unable to see or speak to the practitioner type of the patients’ choice was associated with lower ratings of trust and confidence and patient-rated communication. Smaller differences were found if patients wanted a face-to-face consultation and received a phone consultation instead. The greatest difference was for patients who asked to see a GP and instead spoke to a nurse for whom the adjusted mean difference in confidence and trust compared with those who wanted to see a nurse and did see a nurse was −15.8 points (95% CI −17.6 to −14.0) for confidence and trust in the practitioner and −10.5 points (95% CI −11.7 to −9.3) for net communication score, both on a 0–100 scale.ConclusionsPatients’ evaluation of their care is worse if they do not receive the type of consultation they expect, especially if they prefer a doctor but are unable to see one. New models of care should consider the potential unintended consequences for patient experience of the widespread introduction of multidisciplinary teams in general practice.


2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 64-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenni Burt ◽  
Martin Roland ◽  
Charlotte Paddison ◽  
David Reeves ◽  
John Campbell ◽  
...  

Objectives Among patients with long-term conditions, to determine the prevalence and benefits of care planning discussions and of care plans. Methods Data from the 2009/10 General Practice Patient Survey, a cross sectional survey of 5.5 million patients in England. Outcomes were patient reports of: care planning discussions; perceived benefit from care planning discussions and resultant care plans. Patient and practice variables were included in multilevel logistic regression to investigate predictors of each outcome. Results Half the respondents (49%) reported a long-term condition and were eligible to answer the care planning questions. Of these, 84% reported having a care planning discussion during the last 12 months and most reported some benefit. Only 12% who reported a care planning discussion also reported being told they had a care plan. Patients who reported having a care plan were more likely to report benefits from care planning discussions. Several factors predicted the reporting of care planning and care plans of which the most important was patients' reports of the quality of interpersonal care. Conclusions There is a gap between policy and current practice which might reflect uncertainty as to the benefits of care plans. There is, therefore, a need for rigorous evaluation of care plans.


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