Feasibility study on the use of telemedicine for psychiatric patients
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN33616817 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN33616817 |
| Protocol serial number | 14/NW/0100 |
| Sponsor | Research and Development Office, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust |
| Funder | Charitable Funding from Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust (UK) |
- 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
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
Scientific
Bradgate Unit
Groby Road
Leicester
LE3 9EJ
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-2610-8058 |
|---|
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-centre interventional trial |
| Secondary study design | Non randomised study |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | A feasibility study on the effectiveness of teleconsultation in monitoring patients with mental illness by the Community Mental Health Team |
| Study objectives | Is 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) studied | Improving the quality of patient care, including improving access to care for certain patient groups with poor engagement, within an outpatient setting |
| Intervention | 1. 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 type | Device |
| Phase | |
| Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s) | |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
1. 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 |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Clinician satisfaction on teleconsultation as measured on Clinician Experience Form |
| Completion date | 15/01/2016 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 20 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. 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 criteria | 1. 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 enrolment | 15/06/2015 |
| Date of final enrolment | 15/07/2015 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
Study participating centre
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No | ||
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
02/02/2018: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator.
