scholarly journals 188 Senior clinical and business managers’perspectives on how different mechanisms and models of employing general practitioners in or alongside Emergency Departments influence wider system outcomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 840.3-841
Author(s):  
Mazhar Choudrhey ◽  
Michelle Edwards ◽  
Alison Cooper ◽  
Pippa Anderson ◽  
Thomas Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Flow Of Funds ◽  
Funding Mechanisms ◽  
Primary Care Clinicians ◽  
Gp Model

Aims/Objectives/BackgroundWe aim to examine senior managers’ perspectives on funding mechanisms used to implement the policy and experiences of success or challenges in introducing models of using GPs in or alongside emergency departments. Health policy in England has advocated the use of primary care clinicians at emergency departments to address pressures from rising attendances. However, implementing large systemic changes such as placing GPs in or alongside emergency departments requires significant funding, consideration of the opportunity costs of the alternative uses of such funding, an available workforce and evidence of how it should be used. Our findings will inform policy adaptation and service development to improve the healthcare provided to patients by providing new evidence of the reported experiences of adopting models of using GPs in or alongside emergency departments.Methods/DesignThe perspectives of senior clinical, business and finance managers with responsibility for emergency department services and on-site primary care service implementation were investigated in semi-structured interviews with 31 managers at 12 type-1 emergency departments in England and Wales. Emergency departments operated one of three GP models or had prior experience of implementing a GP model. Interviews were thematically analysed.Results/ConclusionsSuccessful GPs models in emergency departments were perceived to be reliant on well-organised and unified funding mechanisms, appropriate staffing and governance, and consideration of population demands and needs. Funding mechanisms and the flow of funds were reported as complex, the most efficient mechanisms were described at departments where funding was unified, in collaboration with health and community care services. Staffing with local, experienced GPs was important. There were also cautions from experiences with private locum providers. Our findings contribute to debates about implementing policy on how primary care clinicians are effectively and safely deployed in emergency departments and how local context should be considered.

PP19 Primary care streaming in emergency departments- contexts and mechanisms associated with perceived effectiveness outcomes: a realist evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. A9.1-A9
Author(s):  
Michelle Edwards ◽  
Alison Cooper ◽  
Freya Davies ◽  
Andrew Carson Stevens ◽  
Adrian Edwards ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Patient Flow ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Primary Care Service ◽  
Evaluation Methodology ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Service Models

BackgroundRecent policy has encouraged emergency departments (EDs) to deploy nurses to stream patients from the ED front door to GPs working in a separate GP service operating within or alongside an ED. We aimed to describe mechanisms relating to effectiveness of streaming in different primary care service models identified in EDs. We explored perceptions of whether patients were perceived to be appropriately streamed to emergency care, primary care, other hospital services or community primary care services; and effects on patient flow (waiting times and length of stay in the ED); and safe streaming outcomes.MethodsWe used realist evaluation methodology to explore perceived streaming effectiveness. We visited 13 EDs with different primary care service models (purposively selected across England & Wales; 8 streamed primary care patients to a primary care clinician) and carried out observations of triage/streaming and patient flow and interviews with key members of staff (consultants, GPs, nurses). Field notes and audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed by creating context, mechanism and outcome configurations to refine and develop theories relating to streaming effectiveness.ResultsWe identified five contexts (nurses’ knowledge and experience, streaming guidance, teamwork and communication, operational management and strategic management) that facilitated mechanisms that influenced the effectiveness of streaming (streaming to an appropriate service, patient flow, delivering safe care). We integrated a middle range psychological theory (cognitive continuum theory) with our findings to recommend a focus for training nurses in streaming and service improvements.ConclusionsWe identified key mechanisms relating to the effectiveness of primary care streaming in different models of service. We recommend a collaborative approach to service development, guidance and training (including input from ED clinicians and primary care clinicians) and a range of training strategies that are suitable for less experienced junior nurses and more experienced senior nurses and nurse practitioners.

scholarly journals 192 Primary care streaming in emergency departments- contexts and mechanisms associated with perceived effectiveness outcomes: a realist evaluation

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 837-838
Author(s):  
Michelle Edwards ◽  
Michelle Edwards ◽  
Alison Cooper ◽  
Freya Davies ◽  
Andrew Carson Stevens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Patient Flow ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Psychological Theory ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation Methodology ◽  
Service Development

Aims/Objectives/BackgroundRecent policy has encouraged emergency departments (EDs) to deploy nurses to stream patients from the ED front door to GPs working in a separate GP service operating within or alongside an ED. We aim to describe mechanisms relating to effectiveness of streaming in different primary care service models identified in emergency departments. We explored whether patients were appropriately streamed to emergency care, primary care, other hospital services or community primary care services; patient flow (including effects on waiting times and length of stay in the emergency department); and safe streaming outcomes. We sought suggestions for quality improvements relating to streamingMethods/DesignA realist evaluation methodology was used to explore perceived streaming effectiveness. We visited 13 emergency departments (purposively selected across England & Wales; 8 streamed primary care patients to a primary care clinician) and carried out observations of triage/streaming and patient flow and interviews with key members of staff (consultants, GPs, nurses).Field notes from observations and audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim and were analysed by creating context, mechanism and outcome configurations to refine and develop theories relating to streaming effectiveness.Results/ConclusionsWe identified five contexts (nurses’ knowledge and experience, streaming guidance, teamwork and communication, operational management and strategic management) that facilitated mechanisms that influenced the effectiveness of streaming (streaming to an appropriate service, patient flow, delivering safe care). We integrated a middle range psychological theory with our findings to recommend a focus for training nurses in streaming and service improvements. We recommend a collaborative approach to service development, guidance and training (including input from emergency department clinicians, primary care clinicians) and a range of training strategies that are suitable for less experienced junior nurses and more experienced senior nurses and nurse practitioners.

Measuring impact of telephone triage in Acute Medicine

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 104-106
Author(s):  
Huma Asmat ◽  
◽  
Shah Khalid Shinwari ◽  
Timothy Cooksley ◽  
Roger Duckitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
General Practitioners ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Telephone Triage ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Acute Medicine ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

The Society for Acute Medicine’s Benchmarking Audit (SAMBA) was undertaken for the 5th time in June 2016. For the first time, data on telephone triage calls prior to admission to Acute Medical Units were collected: 1238 patients were referred from Emergency Departments, 925 from General Practitioners (GPs), 52 from clinics and 147 from other sources. Calls from Emergency Departments rarely resulted in admission avoidance. Calls from Primary Care resulted in avoidance of an admission in 115 (12%) patients; the percentage of avoided admissions was highest if the call was taken by a Consultant. Consultant triage might result in admission avoidance but the impact of local context on the effectiveness is not clear.

Provider Views of the Feasibility and Utility of Lifestyle Obesity Treatment in Primary Care: Insights from the Think Health! Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Etienne Phipps ◽  
Lisa Chacko ◽  
Jennifer Fassbender ◽  
Kelly Allison ◽  
David Sarwer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Obesity Treatment ◽  
Weight Loss Program ◽  
Health Study ◽  
Clinical Practices ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Practice Based Research ◽  
Primary Care Clinicians ◽  
Post Hoc

Rationale:   Feasible approaches for providing obesity treatment in primary care settings have been difficult to identify. We assessed the views of primary care clinicians and practice staff about a simplified, lifestyle weight loss program after their participation in a randomized trial designed to evaluate the program within their clinical practices.  Methods: Post-hoc interviews were conducted with 13 clinicians and 12 auxiliary staff at the 5 participating practices in the Think Health! Study of weight management in primary care.  A 13-item survey was used to guide semi-structured interviews about the perceived strengths, weakness, and potential long-term utility of the program. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative methods. Results:  Providers unanimously endorsed the need for weight loss counseling for their patients.  They supported the need for more frequent visits initially to best engage patients in a weight loss program.  Additional training in counseling skills was desired. Conclusion:  Clinicians participating in a practice- based trial valued having weight loss materials available to share with patients.  Offering patient materials that convey key content and structure for behavior change tasks while allowing provider discretion in how materials are integrated into patient care might be a viable option for testing in future practice-based research. 

scholarly journals Learning from diagnostic error when primary care services are located in or alongside emergency departments: a theory generating mixed-methods study

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp19X703277
Author(s):  
Alison Cooper ◽  
Andrew Carson-Stevens ◽  
Niro Siriwardena ◽  
Adrian Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Diagnostic Error ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Care Services ◽  
Service Models

BackgroundNew healthcare service models are being introduced to help manage increasing demand on emergency healthcare systems including the provision of primary care services in or alongside emergency departments. There is little research evidence to guide decisions about how service models can be most effective and safe.AimFocusing on diagnostic error, the aim was to learn why errors occur to identify priority interventions.MethodTwo data sources were used to identify diagnostic error reports including: coroners’ reports to prevent future deaths; and the National Reporting and Learning System (NRLS). A cross-sectional, mixed-methods theory-generating study which used a multi-axial PISA classification system based on the recursive model for incident analysis, was carried out.ResultsNine Coroners’ reports (from a total of 1347 community and hospital reports, 2013–2018) and 217 NRLS reports (from 13 million, 2005–2015) were identified describing diagnostic error with learning relevant to primary care services in or alongside emergency departments. Clinical presentations included musculoskeletal injuries; unwell infants; headaches; and chest pains. Findings highlighted a difficulty identifying appropriate patients for the primary care service; underinvestigation; misinterpretation of diagnostic tests; underuse of safeguarding protocols; and inadequate communication and referral pathways between the services.ConclusionPriority areas to minimise risk of diagnostic error when primary care services are located in or alongside emergency departments include clinical decision support to triage and stream patients to the appropriate care setting; contextualised, workplace-based education and training for primary care staff; and standardised computer systems, communication and referral pathways between emergency and primary care services.

scholarly journals Memory care approaches to better leverage capacity of dementia specialists: a narrative synthesis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Lam ◽  
Soeren Mattke
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Narrative Synthesis ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Memory Care ◽  
Memory Clinics ◽  
Alternative Approaches ◽  
Optimal Approach ◽  
Primary Care Practices ◽  
And Training

Prior research suggests that a scarcity of dementia specialists could hamper access to disease-modifying Alzheimer’s treatments. We describe alternative approaches on how to leverage specialist time for memory care in this narrative synthesis based on 17 semi-structured interviews and a targeted literature review on memory care approaches that leverage specialist time. We identified four types of approaches: community primary care practices empowered with better tools and training; primary care memory clinics; specialty memory clinics and; specialty memory centers. Several approaches to use specialist time efficiently have been implemented and some but not all evaluated. The optimal approach may depend on the local context.

Partnership Management: Working Across Organisational Boundaries

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rae Walker ◽  
Jonathan Pietsch ◽  
Lisa Delaney ◽  
Barry Hahn ◽  
Carolyn Wallace ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Service Development ◽  
Research Report ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Research Project ◽  
University Researcher ◽  
Executive Officers ◽  
The Chairs

The short paper that follows is fundamentally about evidence-based practice. In Kuruvilla, Mays, Pleasant and Walt's (2006) terms it was an exercise in the application of research to service development and evidence-based practice. In Walter, Nutley, and Davies' (2003) taxonomy it resulted in a professional intervention, the development of which was led by research users seeking evidence to inform practice development. The team emerged out of a social network of individuals interested in partnership development issues (Kalucy, McIntyre, & Jackson-Bowers, 2007). The resulting paper was the foundation for a significant investment, by the Department of Human Services, in building capacity for partnership leadership in Victoria. The team that undertook this research-to-practice project consisted of three Primary Care Partnership (PCP) executive officers/managers, one of whom was also executive officer to the Statewide Chairs and Managers Group, a university researcher, and a final year undergraduate student working as a volunteer. The executive officer to the Statewide Chairs and Managers Group formed the team to explore broad issues of PCP development and to report to the chairs. The Statewide Chairs and Managers Group was the pathway through which the group's work would reach decision-makers. After a series of meetings to clarify the issues to be addressed, a developmental process for working with the chairs and managers was designed. The executive officers/managers were key to clear issue definition and appropriate process; the researcher to linking the issues to the partnership evidence base. The process relied on tapping the tacit knowledge of PCP managers and chairs and relating this to the relevant body of research. In this process implicit learning needs in regard to partnership leadership were articulated within a framework developed out of a complex research project undertaken with similar partnerships elsewhere. The university researcher on the team had a long history of research into partnerships and networks in the field of primary health care. The specific research project in question was a National Health and Medical Research Council-funded study of trust in the relationships between organisations in a Primary Care Partnership. The study of trust in a partnership is necessarily a study of partnership processes more generally. It was the general learning about partnership processes from this and related research that turned out to be so useful for the service system. The report of this work, that follows, was written in a form suitable for decision-making. It is not a research report but it is built on strong research-based frameworks that were "tested" in the local context. The recommendations are specific to PCPs in Victoria but will also be familiar to partnership workers elsewhere. The predicted effects of the recommendations are supported by research evidence.

PP18 Is there provider induced demand at emergency departments with primary care services? Patient, local and wider system factors described to influence demand for primary care in emergency departments: realist evaluation

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (9) ◽  
pp. A8.2-A8
Author(s):  
Michelle Edwards ◽  
Alison Cooper ◽  
Andrew Carson Stevens ◽  
Adrian Edwards ◽  
Thomas Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Urgent Care ◽  
Induced Demand ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Care Services ◽  
Additional Demand ◽  
System Factors ◽  
Primary Care Clinicians

BackgroundEvidence from evaluations of emergency departments (EDs) with co-located primary care services suggests that they influence additional demand for non-urgent care (provider-induced demand). In a realist review of the literature on the effects of primary care services in EDs we proposed a theory that when primary care services are distinct at an ED they may encourage additional primary care demand and when primary care clinicians work indistinctly in the ED there is no additional demand. We aimed to explore evidence for this theory and explain contexts, mechanisms and outcomes that influence such demand.MethodsWe used realist evaluation methodology and carried out observations of key processes. We interviewed 23 patients, 21 ED clinical directors, 26 other ED staff members and 26 GPs at 13 EDs (England & Wales). Field notes and audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and analysed by creating context, mechanism and outcome configurations to refine and develop theories relating to provider induced demand.ResultsEDs with distinct primary care services were perceived to attract more demand for primary care than EDs where primary care clinicians worked indistinctly because the primary care service was visible, widely known about, enabled direct access, and received NHS 111 referrals. Other influences on demand were patients’ experiences of accessing primary care, the capacity for urgent care in the community, location of the ED and public transport links, service design and developments (new buildings, renovations) and population characteristics (unfamiliarity with local healthcare services, not registered with a GP or different cultural perceptions of seeking health care).ConclusionsA range of patient, local-system and wider-system factors contribute to additional demand at an ED with co-located primary care services. Our findings can inform providers and policymakers in developing strategies to limit the effect of these influences on additional demand.

scholarly journals Acceptability, benefits, and challenges of video consulting: a qualitative study in primary care

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (686) ◽  
pp. e586-e594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eddie Donaghy ◽  
Helen Atherton ◽  
Victoria Hammersley ◽  
Hannah McNeilly ◽  
Annemieke Bikker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Visual Cues ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Time Saving ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Work Demand ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Visual Component ◽  
Primary Care Clinicians

BackgroundPeople increasingly communicate online, using visual communication mediums such as Skype and FaceTime. Growing demands on primary care services mean that new ways of providing patient care are being considered. Video consultation (VC) over the internet is one such mode.AimTo explore patients’ and clinicians’ experiences of VC.Design and settingSemi-structured interviews in UK primary care.MethodPrimary care clinicians were provided with VC equipment. They invited patients requiring a follow-up consultation to an online VC using the Attend Anywhere web-based platform. Participating patients required a smartphone, tablet, or video-enabled computer. Following VCs, semi-structured interviews were conducted with patients (n = 21) and primary care clinicians (n = 13), followed by a thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants reported positive experiences of VC, and stated that VC was particularly helpful for them as working people and people with mobility or mental health problems. VCs were considered superior to telephone consultations in providing visual cues and reassurance, building rapport, and improving communication. Technical problems, however, were common. Clinicians felt, for routine use, VCs must be more reliable and seamlessly integrated with appointment systems, which would require upgrading of current NHS IT systems.ConclusionThe visual component of VCs offers distinct advantages over telephone consultations. When integrated with current systems VCs can provide a time-saving alternative to face-to-face consultations when formal physical examination is not required, especially for people who work. Demand for VC services in primary care is likely to rise, but improved technical infrastructure is required to allow VC to become routine. However, for complex or sensitive problems face-to-face consultations remain preferable.

scholarly journals 191 A classification of primary care pathways in emergency departments: a multi-methods study comprising cross-sectional survey; site visits with observations; semi-structured and informal interviews

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (12) ◽  
pp. 841.2-842
Author(s):  
Michelle Edwards ◽  
Alison Cooper ◽  
Davies Freya ◽  
Andrew Carson-Stevens ◽  
Thomas Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Framework Analysis ◽  
Front Door ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Primary Care Services

Aims/Objectives/BackgroundWe aim to describe and classify the predominant streaming pathways on arrival in Emergency Departments (EDs) in England and Wales and explain how they operate in different models of emergency department primary care services. Recent policy has encouraged a method whereby nurses stream from the emergency department front door to GPs working in a separate GP service operating within or alongside an ED. However, there is variation in methods of assessing and streaming patients on arrival at EDs. Conflated terminology causes difficulties in assessing relative performance, improving quality or gathering evidence about safety, clinical effectiveness. Our findings present a new classification of current streaming pathways from emergency departments to primary care services.Methods/DesignWe used a multi-stage method approach, including an online survey completed by 77 EDs across England & Wales, interviews with 21 clinical leads, and finally, undertaking case studies of 13 EDs. Qualitative data were triangulated and analysed using a framework analysis approach.Results/ConclusionsThe most common ED pathways to primary care services were: front door streaming before ED registration; streaming inside the ED; or without streaming but GPs selecting patients. Pathways were often adapted, to suit local circumstances such as department layout, patient demand levels, skill mix and interests of GPs practitioners and the accessibility of community primary care services. Pathways to redirect patients with non-urgent primary care problems to community primary care services were also used, with local variation in protocols based on staffing, patient demand and links to community primary care services. Local clinical leads and managers need to consider which pathway(s) may best suit their local context and needs. Consistency of terminology used to describe pathways between EDs and primary care services is necessary for multi-site evaluation, quality improvement and performance measurement.

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