Understanding blended outpatient services to format future models
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the benefits and limitations of a blended approach (mixing virtual and face to face consultations) to outpatient palliative care services, to provide recommendations for future models of delivery; a mixed-methods study.
IRAS ID
308342
Contact name
Caradoc Morris
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University Research Integrity, Governance and Ethics Team
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
This study will examine the use of 'blended' consultations (virtual and face to face) for Palliative Medicine outpatients in the UK, as NHS services learn how to work in a new phase of the Covid-19 pandemic.
During strict lockdown measures most clinical consultations were performed remotely, using telephone or video technologies. Much information exists on the clinical use of digital technologies. Although necessary, some benefits of this model of working were noted, and the use of virtual consultations has continued as NHS services have returned toward a more normal functioning. The aim of this study is to explore professional and patient views about the combined use of virtual and in-person consultations through a patient journey, to help develop future models of blended working that can deliver efficient and effective patient care.Phase 1 of the study is already underway. This comprises an anonymous online survey of Palliative Medicine outpatient clinic providers, distributed through the Association for Palliative Medicine as a professional body. It uses open and closed questions to explore experiences and preferences. Clinicians are asked to identify beneficial aspects of, and barriers to, effective care, and suggest changes to current practice.
Phase 2 of the study seeks to recruit patients through a local Palliative Medicine service who have accessed outpatient clinics through both virtual and face to face consultations. Semi-structured interviews will be used to understand their experiences and learn how this new model of service provision can be adapted and structured to best suit their needs, by identifying themes of what they consider to be benefits and limitations of blended practice.
The two sets of data will be thematically assessed and cross-referenced in an effort to develop guidelines and principles that can help service providers structure their outpatient clinic services to deliver the best possible blended care.
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SC/0172
Date of REC Opinion
23 May 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion