Search

Background: Electronic health records (EHR) are frequently used for epidemiological research including drug utilisation studies in a defined population such as the population with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). We sought to describe the process of defining a cohort of patients with KOA from a large UK primary care database and estimate the annual incidence of diagnosed KOA between 2000 and 2015. Method: This was a retrospective study using data from the clinical practice research datalink (CPRD). CPRD is a large primary care longitudinal electronic medical records' database that contains anonymous records of patients from general practices across United Kingdom. Five different cohort definition strategies were applied including symptoms‐based or diagnosis‐based strategies or a combination of both. To validate results, the annual incidence of KOA was estimated and compared to published data. Results: The study defined 898,690 patients when symptoms‐based strategy was applied, 137,541 patients when diagnosis based and 83,294 when a combination of both strategies were applied. The final cohort was defined using a diagnosis‐based strategy that avoided overestimation (with symptoms‐based definition) or underestimation (with a combination of symptoms and diagnosis). The incidence of KOA ranged from 1.33 per 1000 CPRD registrants in 2000, 1.76 in 2008 and 1.45 patients in 2015. Conclusion: This study logically/sensibly defined a cohort of patients with diagnosed KOA through the application of several strategies. This was an essential step to avoid subsequent over or underestimation of the prevalence of drug utilisation and the associated adverse clinical outcomes within primary care patients with KAO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The primary aim of this systematic review is to assess the effectiveness of evidence‐based healthcare (EBHC) educational interventions on healthcare professionals' knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviour of EBHC, clinical process and care outcomes. A secondary aim of the review is to assess the effects of important pedagogical moderating factors for EBHC educational interventions. Method: This systematic review used a forward and backward citation search strategy on the Web of Science platform (date of inception to 28 April 2023). Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and cluster RCTs which compared EBHC educational interventions for healthcare professionals were included. A random effects meta‐analysis was undertaken for EBHC compared with an active and nonactive control for all outcomes. Results: Sixty‐one RCTs were identified which included a total of 5208 healthcare professionals. There was a large effect for EBHC educational interventions compared with waiting list/no treatment/sham control on knowledge (SMD, 2.69; 95% CI, 1.26–4.14, GRADE Low), skills (SMD, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.25–1.73, Very Low Certainty), attitude (SMD, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.16–1.47, Very Low Certainty) and behaviour of EBHC (SMD, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.25–1.40, Very Low Certainty). Over time the effect of EBHC educational interventions substantially decreased with no evidence of effect at 6 months for any outcome except behaviour (SMD,1.72; 95% CI, 0.74–2.71, Low Certainty). There was some evidence that blended learning, active learning and consistency in the individual delivering the intervention may be important positive moderating factors. Conclusion: These findings suggest that EBHC educational interventions may have a large short‐term effect on improving healthcare professionals' knowledge, skills, attitude and behaviour of EBHC. These effects may be longer‐lasting regarding EBHC behaviour. In terms of pedagogy, blended learning, active learning, and consistency of the individual delivering the intervention may be important positive moderating factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Audit and feedback is an evidence‐based implementation strategy, but studies reporting the use of theory to guide design elements are limited. Aims and Objectives: Within the context of a programme of research aiming to improve the implementation of supported asthma self‐management in UK primary care (IMPlementing IMProved Asthma self‐management as RouTine [IMP2ART]), we aimed to design and develop theoretically‐informed audit and feedback that highlighted supported asthma self‐management provision and areas for improvement in primary care general practices. Method: Aligned with the Medical Research Council (MRC) complex intervention framework, the audit and feedback was developed in three phases: (1) Development: literature and theory exploration, and prototype audit and feedback design; (2) Feasibility: eliciting feedback on the audit and feedback from general practice staff (n = 9); (3) Prepiloting: delivering the audit and feedback within the IMP2ART implementation strategy (incorporating patient and professional resources and an asthma review template) and eliciting clinician feedback (n = 9). Results: Audit and feedback design was guided by and mapped to existing literature suggestions and theory (e.g., Theoretical Domains Framework, Behaviour Change Technique Taxonomy). Feedback on the prototype audit and feedback confirmed feasibility but identified some refinements (a need to highlight supporting self‐management and importance of asthma action plans). Prepiloting informed integration with other IMP2ART programme strategies (e.g., patient resources and professional education). Conclusion: We conclude that a multistage development process including theory exploration and mapping, contributed to the design and delivery of the audit and feedback. Aligned with the MRC framework, the IMP2ART strategy (incorporating the audit and feedback) is now being tested in a UK‐wide cluster randomised controlled trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: There is known variation in neuro‐rehabilitation service provision, however, the extent of service variation and impact on people who experience an acquired brain injury (ABI) is not articulated in the literature. The aim of this study was to assess and determine the extent to which neuro‐rehabilitation services in one part of the United Kingdom (UK) are meeting national quality standards. Method: A mixed method design, across five community neuro‐rehabilitation providers and six districts in South London, comprised of ABI population incidence data, web‐based surveys to determine compliance with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Head Injury Quality Standard, and focus groups to understand the patient perspective of community neuro‐rehabilitation service provision. Results: The population incidence of ABI amongst districts demonstrated differences between the datasets analyzed, resulting in an inability to determine whether service variation was based on population need. The web‐based surveys revealed that five community neuro‐rehabilitation providers have variations between the models of care provided, including clinical referral criteria, duration, intensity of therapy interventions, and overall cost per patient, which was correlated with workforce capacity and patient waiting times. Focus group discussion highlighted current key challenges of service restraints, disconnect between services and limited professional support, as well as improvement opportunities pertaining to access, flexible, local and timely health and social care services. Conclusion: This study indicates that despite the publication of the NICE Head Injury Quality Standard, there is variation in the local provision of community neuro‐rehabilitation across six districts in South London. Each district partly meets the recommendations, highlighting variability in the model of care delivered, that impacts consumers/carers accessing quality neuro‐rehabilitation services. A disconnect remains between evidence‐based quality standards and implementation. No standardized ABI data set is available in the UK, which impacts planning for future clinical service delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To design and evaluate the effectiveness of a pre-notification leaflet about research to increase recruitment to a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Methods A methodological, two-arm, RCT was conducted, embedded within an existing cohort RCT (REFORM). Participants were randomized for the embedded trial, using a 1:2 ratio (intervention : control) before being randomized for REFORM. Controls received a trial recruitment pack. The intervention group received an additional pre-notification leaflet 2-3 weeks before the recruitment pack. Primary and secondary analyses were conducted using relative risk, the Cox proportional hazards model and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios. Results Of the 1436 intervention group participants, 73 (5.1%) were randomized into the REFORM trial compared with 126 (4.4%) of the 2878 control group participants. The associated relative risk (1.16) was not statistically significant [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.88-1.56]. Return rate was not significantly increased (relative risk 1.10, 95% CI 0.92-1.28) nor time to return decreased (hazard ratio: 1.11, 95% CI 0.93-1.33). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios indicated the intervention may be cost-effective if the true estimate of effect was close to the upper bound of the associated 95% CI. Conclusion Pre-notification for potential trial participants demonstrated a small difference to randomization (0.7% difference) and return rates (1.1% difference) in favour of the intervention. Results should however be interpreted with caution as CIs for these estimates cross the point of no effect. Nevertheless, this research enhances existing evidence for pre-notification to increase recruitment rates, with further development and assessment of this potentially cost-effective intervention being recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Few studies have investigated the quality of pre-hospital care by ethnicity. We aimed to investigate ethnic differences in pre-hospital ambulance care of patients with suspected cardiac pain. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of retrospective electronic clinical data for patients with suspected cardiac pain over one year (August 2011 to July 2012) extracted from a single regional ambulance service. This included patient demographic data, clinical measurements, drugs administered and outcomes, such as transportation to hospital or referral to primary care. We used multivariate regression to investigate differences in care by ethnicity comparing non-White with White patients. Results There were 7046 patients with suspected cardiac pain, with 4825 who had ethnicity recorded including 4661 (96.6%) White and 164 (3.4%) non-White. After correcting for age, sex, socio-economic status and whether transported to hospital, non-White patients were significantly more likely to have temperature [odds ratio (OR) 2.96, P = 0.007], blood glucose (OR 3.95, P = 0.003), respiratory rate (OR 4.94, P = 0.03) and oxygen saturation (OR 2.43, P = 0.006) recorded. Non-White patients were significantly less likely to be transported to hospital (OR 0.43, P = 0.03). Conclusion There were significant differences in pre-hospital ambulance care for non-White compared with White patients with suspected cardiac pain. These differences could be due to differences in clinical condition or case-mix, language and cultural barriers, limited understanding of appropriate use of health care services, recording bias or true differences in provider management. Further analysis should involve larger and more complete data sets to explore ethnic differences in greater detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale, aims and objectives In the UK fewer than 15% of familial hypercholesterolemia ( FH) cases are diagnosed, representing a major gap in coronary heart disease prevention. We wished to support primary care doctors within the Medway Clinical Commissioning Group ( CCG) to implement NICE guidance ( CG71) and consider the possibility of FH in adults who have raised total cholesterol concentrations, thereby improving the detection of people with FH. Methods Utilizing clinical decision support software ( Audit+) we developed an FH Audit Tool and implemented a systematic audit of electronic medical records within GP practices, first identifying all patients diagnosed with FH or possible FH and next electronically flagging patients with a recorded total cholesterol of >7.5 mmol L−1 or LDL- C > 4.9 mmol L−1 (in adults), for further assessment. After a 2-year period, a nurse-led clinic was introduced to screen more intensely for new FH index cases. We evaluated if these interventions increased the prevalence of FH closer to the expected prevalence from epidemiological studies. Results The baseline prevalence of FH within Medway CCG was 0.13% (1 in 750 persons). After 2 years, the recorded prevalence of diagnosed FH increased by 0.09% to 0.22% (1 in 450 persons). The nurse advisor programme ran for 9 months ( October 2013- July 2014) and during this time, the recorded prevalence of patients diagnosed with FH increased to 0.28% (1 in 357 persons) and the prevalence of patients 'at risk and unscreened' reduced from 0.58% to 0.14%. Conclusions Our study shows that two simple interventions increased the detection of FH. This systematic yet simple electronic case-finding programme with nurse-led review allowed the identification of new index cases, more than doubling the recorded prevalence of detected disease to 1 in 357 (0.28%). This study shows that primary care has an important role in identifying patients with this condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale, aims and objectives Clinical trial data suggest that patients who have received bisphosphonates continue to benefit from them after discontinuation. However, data from real-world clinical practice are inconclusive. We assessed the impact of persistence and discontinuation on health resource utilization ( HRU) and fracture rate in women who were prescribed oral bisphosphonates. Method The study used data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Women aged 50 years or older with a first prescription of oral bisphosphonate therapy between January 2000 and December 2007 were included. Multivariate modelling compared rate ratios for fracture and HRU between patients who had discontinued medication (shorter persistence group) and patients who took their medication for longer (longer persistence group). The interactions of elapsed time (measured as 6-month intervals) with HRU and with fracture rate for all patients within paired groups were also assessed. Results Overall, 36 320 patients were included. Pairwise comparisons showed that HRU and fracture rates were lower in longer persistence groups than in shorter persistence groups. Analysis by 6-month interval showed that, across all patients in persistence group pairs, HRU significantly increased for each additional 6 months elapsed; trends towards increased risk of fracture were also seen. Conclusion In contrast to results from clinical trials, in this patient population the protective effect of oral bisphosphonates after discontinuation was not sufficient to reduce HRU and fracture rates to the levels that would be seen if patients had continued on therapy. Reducing the rate of treatment discontinuation may decrease the burden that osteoporosis places on both patients and health care systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale aims and objectives Problems exist with Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ( DNACPR) orders: they are often misinterpreted by clinicians to mean that other treatments should be withheld; resuscitation decision discussions are difficult; patients remain inappropriately for resuscitation. We developed an alternative approach. Methods An adapted Delphi method was used. Senior clinicians were interviewed about the strengths and weakness of current practice. Teams who had initiated alternative approaches internationally were contacted. Focus groups were conducted with doctors, nurses and patients to further understand problems with DNACPR orders and establish essential aspects of a new approach. A behavioral economist and management consultant contributed advice. The resulting form was recirculated and further refined. It was: snowballed out to others with specialist expertise (palliative care physicians, intensivists, etc) for further feedback; assessed in simulated clinical encounters before being piloted; further adjusted once in clinical practice. In parallel, a patient information leaflet was developed along with education materials. Results Consensus was achieved that the new approach should: be universal; have discussions and clinical conditions documented first; clarify goals of overall treatment (active treatment or optimal supportive care); contextualize the resuscitation decision among other treatment decisions; have a free text box for 'opting out' of invasive treatments, rather than tick boxes; be green; be limited to one page. Conclusions The Universal Form of Treatment Options was developed iteratively with patients, doctors and nurses as an alternative approach to resuscitation decisions. This paper illustrates a cross-disciplinary approach to developing practical alternatives in health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale, aims and objectives To find consensus, or lack thereof, on the impact of reducing alcohol consumption on prognosis and the risk of hospital admissions for a number of alcohol-attributable disorders. Methods A modified two-round Delphi survey utilizing web-based questionnaires to collect quantitative and qualitative data was used. Alcohol treatment experts from cardiology, emergency medicine, gastroenterology and oncology in the United Kingdom were invited to participate. The main outcomes were median impact ratings (on a scale of 1-9) and consensus (unanimous, strong, moderate, weak or no consensus). Results Of 192 experts invited to participate, 59 completed first questionnaires. The overall retention rate to the second questionnaires was about 51% (30/59). There was strong support that reducing alcohol consumption could result in improvement in prognosis for gastroenterology and emergency medicine patients; but uncertainty on the benefits for cardiology and oncology patients. Overall, the responses from the expert panel did not reflect the assumption that reducing alcohol consumption would result in benefits on hospital admissions for any of the specialties. The specialists viewed the severity of disorders as important when considering the impact of reducing alcohol consumption. Conclusions The highest impact of treatment for problem drinking in hospitals is considered to be for alcohol-related disorders associated with gastroenterology and emergency medicine. At policy level, if targeted screening for alcohol problems by presenting disease or condition is the strategy of choice, it would be logical to implement screening and easily accessible interventions or addiction specialists within these areas where alcohol treatment is considered as having a high impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale and aim To compare clinical features and management of paediatric community-acquired pneumonia ( PCAP) following the publication of UK pneumonia guidelines in 2002 with data from a similar survey at the same hospitals in 2001-2002 (pre-guidelines). Methods A prospective survey of 11 hospitals in Northern England was undertaken during 2008-2009. Clinical and laboratory data were recorded on children aged ≤16 years who presented with clinical and radiological features of pneumonia. Results 542 children were included. There was a reduction in all investigations performed ( P < 0.001) except C-reactive protein ( P = 0.448) between surveys. These included full blood count (76% to 61%); blood culture (70% to 53%) and testing of respiratory secretions for viruses (24% to 12%) and bacteria (18% to 8%). Compared to pre-guidelines, there was a reduction in the use of intravenous antibiotics as a proportion of the total prescribed from 47% to 36% ( P < 0.001) and a change in the route of antibiotic administration with increasing preference for oral alone (16% pre-compared to 50% post-guidelines, P < 0.001). Conclusion Apart from the acute phase reactants that should not be measured routinely, these changes are in line with the guideline recommendations. Improvements in antibiotic use are possible and have implications for future antimicrobial stewardship programmes. Further work using cost-effectiveness analysis may also demonstrate a financial benefit to health services from adoption of guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives This paper seeks to further explore the question of how best to monitor and govern innovative clinical procedures in their earliest phase of development. We examine the potential value of proposed governance frameworks, such as the IDEAL model, and examine the functioning of a novel procedures review committee. Methods The paper draws upon 20 qualitative, semi-structured interviews. Nine interviews were conducted with members of a committee that was established as a means of governing innovative procedures within a large National Health Service Foundation Trust hospital in the UK. Eleven interviews were conducted with health providers involved with the development of a variety of novel clinical procedures. Results Prominent themes from the data include the potential willingness of clinicians to engage with regulatory frameworks for innovative procedures, existing ways in which clinicians and others attempt to ensure patient's safety and manage uncertainty in the context of novel procedures, views on the potential benefits and drawbacks of engaging with a review committee for novel procedures, and the pragmatic considerations and potential unintended consequences that are entailed in the implementation of regulatory requirements for the monitoring of innovative procedures. Conclusions The views of committee members and clinical innovators help us to understand the practical issues of implementing governance structures for novel clinical procedures. The data illustrate those factors that must be taken into account if governance is to support innovation rather than act as an inhibiting factor in the development of new clinical procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale Peer review has been widely used within the National Health Service to facilitate health quality improvement but evaluation has been limited particularly over the longer-term. Change within the National Health Service (NHS) can take a prolonged period - 1-2 years - to occur. We report here a 3-year evaluation of the largest randomized trial of peer review ever conducted in the UK. Aim To evaluate whether targeted mutual peer review of respiratory units brings about improvements in services for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) over 3 years. Methods The peer review intervention was a reciprocal supportive exercise that included clinicians, hospital management, commissioners and patients, which focused on the quality of the provision of four specific evidence-based aspects of COPD care. Results Follow-up at 36 months demonstrated limited significant quantitative differences in the quality of services offered in the two groups but a strong trend in favour of intervention sites. Qualitative data suggested many benefits of peer review in most but not all intervention units and some control teams. The data identify factors that promote and obstruct change. Conclusion The findings demonstrate significant change in service provision over 3 years in both control and intervention sites with great variability in both groups. The combined quantitative and qualitative findings indicate that targeted mutual peer review is associated with improved quality of care, improvements in service delivery and with changes within departments that promote and are precursors to quality improvement. The generic findings of this study have potential implications for the application of peer review throughout the NHS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Significant event analysis (SEA) is now well established in UK primary care. Previously, considerable variation has been reported in the knowledge, skills and attitudes of general practitioners undertaking SEA. Little is known about the wider team's understanding, participation or perceptions. We therefore aimed to determine the awareness, degree of analysis and perceived risk of recurrence of a recent significant event, types of discussion forums, staff groups' participation and perceived barriers. Comparisons were made with a 2003 survey and significant changes described. Method A postal questionnaire survey was undertaken of a random selection of general practice team members in National Health Service Greater Glasgow in 2008/9. Results In total, 375/711 respondents (53%) from 111 practices participated. The vast majority was aware of a recent significant event, 29% reported not implementing a change and 23% perceived the risk of recurrence as moderate to high. Administrative and community-based staff were infrequently involved in meetings. Dedicated significant event meetings remain uncommon ( P = 0.06). Perceptions improved since 2003, but lack of time remained a concern. Discussion This survey was the first known attempt to include all members of the primary care team while studying SEA. Awareness and analysis levels were high, but only lead to sustainable improvement of care quality and clinical safety if teams implement change. Greater use should be made of dedicated SEA meetings and participation of all staff groups increased to gain full benefits. Lack of time can be managed pragmatically by prioritizing events based on their perceived severity, potential for change and potential team involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leadership and innovation are currently seen as essential elements for the development and maintenance of high-quality care. Little is known about the relationship between leadership and culture of innovation and the extent to which quality improvement methods are used in general practice. This study aimed to assess the relationship between leadership behaviour, culture of innovation and adoption of quality improvement methods in general practice. Self-administered postal questionnaires were sent to general practitioner quality improvement leads in one county in the UK between June and December 2007. The questionnaire consisted of background information, a 12-item scale to assess leadership behaviour, a seven-dimension self-rating scale for culture of innovation and questions on current use of quality improvement tools and techniques. Sixty-three completed questionnaires (62%) were returned. Leadership behaviours were not commonly reported. Most practices reported a positive culture of innovation, featuring relationship most strongly, followed by targets and information but rated lower on other dimensions of rewards, risk and resources. There was a significant positive correlation between leadership behaviour and the culture of innovation ( r = 0.57; P < 0.001). Apart from clinical audit and significant event analysis, quality improvement methods were not adopted by most participating practices. Leadership behaviours were infrequently reported and this was associated with a limited culture of innovation in participating general practices. There was little use of quality improvement methods beyond clinical and significant event audit. Practices need support to enhance leadership skills, encourage innovation and develop quality improvement skills if improvements in health care are to accelerate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]