Patient satisfaction with remote memory clinic in COVID19 restriction [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The ‘Remote’ memory clinic: responding to the clinical need in times of COVID-19 restrictions - a study of patient satisfaction and impact on clinical outcomes related to dementia diagnosis.
IRAS ID
284069
Contact name
malgorzata raczek
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
R&D, Sussex Parthership NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
The majority of people who attend memory clinics are considered to be in high risk group with regards to COVID-19 infection, predominantly due to age and coexistence of other health conditions. Nationally, a number of memory assessment services (MAS) have closed or limited their activity in order to reduce risks to people who would be attending their face-to-face assessment and to release staff to support the health care front-line in response to the pandemic.\nIn West Sussex and Surrey, 300-500 patients are referred every month for memory assessment. The suspension of MAS and patients’ appointments being cancelled will inevitably lead to the lengthening of waiting time for first assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and the risk of deterioration in cognitive and functional ability, or development of distressing symptoms that may put additional strain on patients, their families and healthcare systems. \nTo respond to COVID-19 challenge, we propose establishing of the ‘remote’ MAS, using video or telephone assessments that will enable us to continue dementia diagnosis activity in the current circumstances. This research project aims to explore patient satisfaction with the use of remote MAS, factors associated with satisfaction and dissatisfaction with the service as well as how the remote MAS impacts clinical outcomes related to a dementia diagnosis.\nTo meet these aims, we will recruit 68 consecutive patients referred for memory assessment and ask them to complete a series of questionnaires about their experience of remote MAS. A smaller group of 20 will be invited to participate in more in-depth interviews for the purpose of qualitative analysis of their experience. We will also ask permission to access participants’ medical records to collect information on their diagnosis, the time from referral to assessment and treatment provided by the remote MAS.
REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/HRA/3052
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jul 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion