Glasgow 80: Needs and personal preferences in the Emergency Department
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Frequently here / Infrequently heard - voices of frequent attendance: understanding needs and preferences in the Emergency Department in the COVID-19 landscape.
IRAS ID
282038
Contact name
Joanne McPeake
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS GG&C
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Frequently here / Infrequently heard – voices of frequent attendance: understanding needs and preferences in the Emergency Department in the COVID-19 landscape.
The study aims to explore drivers for attendance to the Emergency Department (ED) by patients who would be defined as Frequent Attenders.
Service improvement work carried out at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI) ED showed the top 80 Frequent Attenders accounted for 1.95% of total attendances. This group comprises many individuals for whom substance, alcohol misuse, mental health and homelessness are factors. There are clear potential benefits to the further study of this group aimed at both reducing their attendances and exploring / listening to their needs, preferences and expectations of care. Establishing and identifying historical needs and preferences of Frequent Attenders pre COVID-19 and learning how these contrast or align with needs within the wider COVID-19 landscape could direct future care within the ED. This has great importance within the wider context of healthcare delivery in the midst of a pandemic and for continuing care of others similarly defined as Frequent Attenders.
Eligible for inclusion to the study are; any one identified as a top 80 Frequent Attender to the GRI ED either during the period 1st October 2018 to 30th September 2019 or from sequential monthly attendance analysis, caregivers to identified Frequent Attenders and Healthcare professionals involved in direct care episodes or engaged in full-time employment within GRI ED.
One to one semi-structured interviews will be undertaken in real time to understand patient, caregiver and healthcare professional’s experiences. Owing to the sequential nature of the interview process the study will end when the last patient, healthcare professional or caregiver has given their last interview.
This study will be conducted at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary Emergency Department and is Funded by The Scottish Government's Value Improvement Fund.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0122
Date of REC Opinion
2 Jun 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion