Evaluating a risk factor checklist and training video for GPs as a means of reducing practice variation in referral for glue ear.
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN17594119 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17594119 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | PSI B-6 |
- Submission date
- 23/01/2004
- Registration date
- 23/01/2004
- Last edited
- 21/12/2009
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Ear, Nose and Throat
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Plain English summary of protocol
Not provided at time of registration
Contact information
Dr Kath Bennett
Scientific
Scientific
Research Fellow in Bio-epidemiology at the CRC Paediatric and Familial Cancer Research Group
Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital
Stancliffe
Hospital Road
Manchester
M27 4HA
United Kingdom
Study information
| Study design | Randomised controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | GP practice |
| Study type | Other |
| Scientific title | |
| Study objectives | To evaluate the effect of a risk factor checklist and educational training video on glue ear for general practitioners in reducing practice variation and improving the appropriateness of referral to ENT. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Not provided at time of registration |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Glue ear; otitis media |
| Intervention | Each practice was randomised to one of the following groups: 1. Control 2. Video only 3. Checklist only 4. Video and checklist. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure | Overall mean GP and practice referral rates for OME or related conditions remained stable, simplifying the comparisons related to intervention. There was no reduction in variability amongst practices receiving any intervention, compared with practices receiving none. In those receiving both the video and checklist compared with those receiving only one or no intervention, there was a significant improvement in the quality of referrals, as given by more referrals having bilateral HL >20 dB when sent at ENT (ANCOVA for linear trend assuming 0, 1, 2 interventions and adjusting for the period the child waited to be seen at ENT; p = 0.010). No difference was found between the intervention and non-intervention groups in parent satisfaction scores. However, irrespective of intervention group, parents of children who received more information from their GP about glue ear had higher satisfaction scores than those that did not (p = 0.022). Disseminating information on glue ear to GPs in a multi-channel approach can improve the quality of referrals to ENT but appears to make little impact on the parent¿s satisfaction with the information provided by their GP. Much of the variation in GP glue ear referrals and ENT consultants¿ VT insertion rates is still not accounted for, reducing the ability to produce suggestions on how best to compress it. This study provides a worthwhile basis for further large-scale work using such interventions, particularly when used in combination with one another, provided the appropriate outcome measures are used including the patient¿s perspective. |
| Secondary outcome measures | Not provided at time of registration |
| Overall study start date | 01/02/1997 |
| Completion date | 01/05/1999 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Other |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | 50 practices (177 practitioners) |
| Key inclusion criteria | Fifty general practices from Trent Region and the West of Scotland were recruited into a cluster-randomised controlled trial. |
| Key exclusion criteria | Does not match inclusion criteria |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/02/1997 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/05/1999 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- England
- United Kingdom
Study participating centre
Research Fellow in Bio-epidemiology at the CRC Paediatric and Familial Cancer Research Group
Manchester
M27 4HA
United Kingdom
M27 4HA
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Record Provided by the NHS R&D 'Time-Limited' National Programme Register - Department of Health (UK)
Government
Government
The Department of Health
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2NL
United Kingdom
| Website | http://www.doh.gov.uk |
|---|
Funders
Funder type
Government
NHS Primary and Secondary Care Interface National Research and Development Programme (UK)
No information available
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 01/07/2001 | Yes | No |
