The COPING feasibility study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The CO-produced Psychosocial INtervention delivered by GPs for young people who self-harm (COPING) feasibility study
IRAS ID
327529
Contact name
Faraz Mughal
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Directorate of Research Innovation and Engagement
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Self-harm, defined as intentional self-injury or poisoning regardless of intention, in young people is an international health concern. The numbers of young people presenting to general practitioners (GPs) after self-harm is increasing. Evidence shows that currently there are no effective treatments for GPs to use with young people who have harmed themselves and this impacts on GPs' confidence of managing these patients.
To address this, we have developed the COPING (CO-produced Psychosocial INtervention delivered by GPs to young people after self-harm) treatment (IRAS:294180) in partnership with young people aged 16-25 with experience of self-harm and GPs. The COPING treatment is a new coproduced treatment for GPs to use with young people aged 16-25 years to help them avoid future self-harm. The COPING treatment is to be delivered by GPs across two ten-minute GP appointments, and is a talking treatment targeting psychosocial factors in the young person.
In this study, we aim to deliver COPING to all participants across GP practices in the Midlands, to tell us if a clinical trial of COPING is doable in the NHS, and to help us inform a future larger study.
We will recruit up to six GP practices in the Midlands and train practice GPs to deliver the COPING intervention. We aim to then deliver COPING to a target population of 31 participants. Eligible participants will be young people aged 16-25 years in England, with a history of self-harm in the last 12 months. Patients who are under mental health services and currently receiving talking therapy are ineligible. Participants will receive the COPING intervention and be asked to complete three follow-up questionnaires. They and GPs will be invited for an interview to hear their thoughts on COPING.
The study will last for 24 months. The study's patient and public involvement group will continue to inform this study.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EE/0238
Date of REC Opinion
14 Nov 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion