Integrated care systems and outcomes for Fibrotic-ILD patients
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing effectiveness of an integrated care system on improving waiting times for patients with Fibrotic ILD: An observational retrospective cohort study
IRAS ID
325312
Contact name
Catherine Plum
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UHMB
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 7 months, 16 days
Research summary
The study aims to identify whether exposure to the integrated care system (Morecambe Bay Respiratory Network (MBRN)) effects the time from referral to initial investigations, to initial contact with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) specialists and to definitive management for patients with a new diagnosis of fibrotic-ILD. This will be a retrospective analysis of patients referred via primary care centres in the MBRN, compared to those not referred via GPs in the network, and establish whether there is a significant difference in waiting times between the two groups. These results can therefore inform the MRBN whether it is making an objective impact on patient outcomes. Delay in diagnosis is a recognised risk factor for mortality, and with effective treatments that slow the rate of disease progression as well as necessity of non-pharmacological support, early diagnosis and monitoring is crucial. This study may be able to assess whether integrated care is a strategy to this delay and potentially guide the local and wider areas. If effective this can aid in improving education on the disease and reduce the overall burden of chronic respiratory disease.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/PR/0257
Date of REC Opinion
21 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion