Evaluating video and hybrid group consultations in general practice: Mixed-methods, participatory study
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN85770358 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN85770358 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Integrated Research Application System (IRAS) | 308516 |
| Protocol serial number | IRAS 308516, CPMS 52286 |
| Sponsor | University of Oxford |
| Funder | National Institute for Health and Care Research |
- Submission date
- 29/07/2022
- Registration date
- 05/08/2022
- Last edited
- 28/10/2024
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Other
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Before the Covid-19 pandemic, group consultations were starting to gain ground in the UK as a new way of delivering clinical care to multiple patients at the same time, with potential benefits resulting from peer support and time efficiencies. When in-person care was restricted due to Covid-19, clinicians started delivering group consultations over video, supported by a training programme commissioned by the government. Despite significant interest, we still know little about how group consultations delivered over video or hybrid models combining video and in-person sessions can be best implemented.
The aim of this study is to better understand how group consultations for chronic conditions can benefit patients and the health service when delivered on video and/or in-person sessions in general practice.
Who can participate?
Adults aged 18 years old and over, including patients, carers, healthcare professionals, policy- and decision-makers and community-based organisations
What does the study involve?
In five GP practices across England, where video/hybrid-group consultations are already being delivered, we will evaluate how these new approaches to clinical care are implemented, and how they may support an inclusive service that engages patients with different needs and preferences. The evaluation will include interviews with patients, carers, NHS staff, policy-makers and commissioners, as well as group discussions and observations, including research led by patients themselves. We will also collect numerical data on the number and type of patients attending, whether they are more satisfied or confident with their self-management, or less likely to need to go to the hospital. We will explore costs associated with these new ways of delivering care and will develop comparisons to face-to-face individual appointments. We will also work with 5 practices only delivering one-to-one appointments, to collect numerical data on patient attendance, satisfaction and use of health services. With the involvement of our PPI group, we will bring together our data to develop practical knowledge.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants benefit from being involved in informing the design of group consulting services that will meet patient health needs and social requirements. The risks are minimal, apart from the possible inconvenience of attending interviews or filling in survey questionnaires, and care is taken to keep this to a minimum.
Where is the study run from?
This study is a collaboration between the Universities of Oxford, Exeter and York (United Kingdom)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2022 to May 2025
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HS&DR) Programme (NIHR133895) (United Kingdom)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Chrysanthi Papoutsi, Associate Professor (United Kingdom)
chrysanthi.papoutsi@phc.ox.ac.uk
Contact information
Principal investigator
Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences
Radcliffe Observatory Quarter
Woodstock Road
Oxford
OX26GG
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)1865617831 |
|---|---|
| chrysanthi.papoutsi@phc.ox.ac.uk |
Study information
| Primary study design | Observational |
|---|---|
| Study design | Non-interventional observational mixed-methods multi-site participatory-process qualitative quantitative cost-related study |
| Secondary study design | Mixed-methods |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Evaluating video and hybrid group consultations in general practice: Mixed-methods, participatory study (TOGETHER 2) |
| Study acronym | TOGETHER 2 |
| Study objectives | To better understand how group consultations for chronic conditions can benefit patients and the health service when delivered on video and/or in-person sessions in general practice |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 19/05/2022, the London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee (Ground Floor, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol, BS1 6PN, United Kingdom; +44 (0)207 1048345; hampstead.rec@hra.nhs.uk) ref: 22/PR/0277 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Conditions for which video and hybrid group consultations are delivered (e.g. diabetes, asthma, long Covid) |
| Intervention | We are evaluating the use of video and hybrid group consultations, drawing on methods such as survey questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, observation and analysis of healthcare utilisation data. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
1. Experiences of staff, patients and national and local policy-makers and commissioners measured using qualitative interviews, focus groups and observation carried out for the duration of the project and there is no specific timepoint for participation |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
There are no secondary outcome measures |
| Completion date | 31/05/2025 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Mixed |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 500 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Aged 18 years old and over 2. Willing and able to give informed consent for participation 3. Patient participants will be included if they have been diagnosed with a relevant condition, receiving care from participating services 4. Carer participants will be included if they care for someone diagnosed with a relevant condition, receiving care from participating services 5. Staff will be included if they are involved in implementing or supporting video and hybrid group consultations (VHGCs) in participating GP practices 6. Commissioning and policy stakeholders will be included if they are involved in planning or commissioning remote services including VHGCs, or wider aspects of general practice commissioning relevant to this study |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Inability to read or speak English unless a relevant translator/translated study materials are available 2. Co-morbidity preventing participation (for patient participants) 3. No specific exclusions for staff and commissioning/policy participants |
| Date of first enrolment | 01/08/2022 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/11/2024 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centres
Aughton
Ormskirk
L39 6SE
United Kingdom
London
W10 5PE
United Kingdom
Thornton Heath
CR7 7JE
United Kingdom
Coles Lane
Linton
Cambridge
CB21 4JS
United Kingdom
Lydeard House
Musgrove Park Hospital
Taunton
TA1 5DA
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date |
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 |
| Study website | Study website | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
28/10/2024: The following changes were made to the study record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 31/08/2024 to 30/11/2024.
2. The overall study end date was changed from 30/11/2024 to 31/05/2025.
01/02/2024: The following changes were made to the study record:
1. The recruitment end date was changed from 29/01/2024 to 31/08/2024.
2. The overall study end date was changed from 29/02/2024 to 30/11/2024.
3. The intention to publish date was changed from 01/02/2025 to 30/11/2025.
05/09/2022: Internal review.
03/08/2022: Trial's existence confirmed by the HRA and Health and Care Research Wales.
