Feasibility study on the use of telemedicine for psychiatric patients

ISRCTN ISRCTN33616817
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN33616817
Secondary identifying numbers 14/NW/0100
Submission date
26/05/2015
Registration date
25/06/2015
Last edited
02/02/2018
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
We are carrying out a study to investigate the use of telepsychiatry/teleconsultation for the care of patients with chronic mental illness in the community. We will be using videoconferencing facilities approved by the Hospital Trust Board. We will want to look for benefits from the use of this technology in improving the quality of patient care, including improving access to care for certain patient groups with poor engagement, within a community setting.

Who can participate?
Participants between the ages of 18 and 65, who are well known to their clinicians (Community Psychiatric Nurses or CPNs), with diagnoses of chronic mental illnesses, from a community mental health team base in Leicestershire.

What does the study involve?
Over a period of six months, all participants alternate their routine face-to-face reviews with teleconsultations. The consultations, both face to face and teleconsultation, are conducted by their respective CPNs. This method was chosen as it helps both patient and clinician (CPN) evaluate the risks and benefits. The frequency of both face to face and teleconsultations is at the discretion of the clinician and the patient. Both patient and clinicians are trained to use the teleconsultation software.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
One potential benefit to patients taking part in this study is that they will receive treatment, even when they are not able to attend their outpatient clinic appointments and medication reviews (due tom for example, childcare issues, physical health issues such as pain or a mental health issue, such as a phobia). They will also benefit from a reduction in the time spend travelling and reduced costs from travel. Other potential long term benefit is frequent contact with their clinicians, potentially reducing relapses and hospital admissions. Clinicians may benefit from a reduction in time taken, and money spent, to travel to visit their patients. Risks include a patients mental state or circumstances changing suddenly and making teleconsultation unsuitable. Patients and clinicians may also find that teleconsultations are untherapeutic and may not want to continue with the study.

Where is the study run from?
The study will be run from a community mental health team base within Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (UK)

When is study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2015 to January 2016

Who is funding the study?
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Suneeta James

Contact information

Dr Suneeta James
Scientific

Bradgate Unit
Groby Road
Leicester
LE3 9EJ
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-2610-8058

Study information

Study designSingle-centre interventional trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Community
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleA feasibility study on the effectiveness of teleconsultation in monitoring patients with mental illness by the Community Mental Health Team
Study objectivesIs it feasible to develop a trial investigating the use of telemedicine to monitor patients with severe mental illness in the community?
Ethics approval(s)NRES Committee North West - Preston, 18/02/2014, ref: 14/NW/0100
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedImproving the quality of patient care, including improving access to care for certain patient groups with poor engagement, within an outpatient setting
Intervention1. Each patient alternates between both interventions i.e., regular face to face contact and teleconsultation, to help both patients and clinicians evaluate the risks and benefits effectively
2. Participants who agree to participate in the study will be offered face to face contact alternating with teleconsultations with their Community Psychiatric Nurses (CPN)
3. 20 participants will be recruited in total. Patients will be asked to complete the consent form before entering into the study. Treatment for those declining to participate in the study will be offered as per normal practice.
4. Both participant and CPNs will be asked to complete a Service User Evaluation form and a Clinician Satisfaction form after each consultation.
Intervention typeDevice
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
Phase
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)
Primary outcome measure1. To assess the feasibility of the method (teleconsultation) with this group of patients (Service user Satisfaction Questionnaire), the recruitment and application of the clinical care using telemedicine
2. To ascertain the number of non attendances and/or cancellations
3. To ascertain the reason for drop­outs in this study. This will be explored via short interviews with therapists
4. Numbers of participants recruited in this feasibility study
5. Time saved from travelling
6. Clinical feedback after sessions
Secondary outcome measures1. Clinician satisfaction on tele­consultation as measured on Clinician Experience Form
2. Cost analysis based on Clinician time sheets for service users and clinicians
Overall study start date15/06/2015
Completion date15/01/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit65 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants20
Key inclusion criteria1. Patients diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder and who are looked after by the community mental health team
2. Patients between the age of 18 and 65 years
3. Patients who have been known to a Community Psychiatric Nurse for duration of at least 3 months
4. Patients who have not had any acute episodes (admission) for one year
5. Patients who are clinically stable with no significant risk to themselves or others
6. Patients should have access to internet and wifi at home and should have basic computer literacy (as judged by the CPN)
Key exclusion criteria1. Patients who are acutely unwell with a diagnosis of a major mental disorder such as psychosis or bipolar disorder requiring significant community care or immediate hospital admission
2. Patients requiring urgent assessment and intervention or a home visit
3. Patient not capable of consenting
4. Patients with no wifi at home
5. Patients who are at moderate to severe risk of self harm
Date of first enrolment15/06/2015
Date of final enrolment15/07/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
-
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Research and Development Office, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
Hospital/treatment centre

Lakeside House
4 Smith Way
Grove Park
Enderby
Leicester
LE19 1SS
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/045wcpc71

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

Charitable Funding from Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planThe trial results will be published on completion of the trial. I am unable to give a publication date presently as the trial has not yet commenced.
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Editorial Notes

02/02/2018: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator.