A study to improve understanding of patient experience in general practice and use this information to identify changes that can be made to ensure that patients have the best possible experience.
Summary
Most of us take a variety of medicines during our life and experience the benefits of relief from pain, or from depression or other health problems. When we are better, we normally reduce or stop taking the drugs. With some medicines, however, it is not so easy, and many people experience distressing withdrawal symptoms or long term dependence. These medicines include antidepressants, drugs to prevent pain or seizures (called opioids and gabapentinoids), tranquillisers (benzodiazepines), and drugs to treat sleep problems. This is a significant problem. Figures show that, in 2019, a quarter of the adult population of England – 11.5 million people -- were prescribed medicines known to cause withdrawal symptoms or dependence. The longer you take the medicines, the more difficult it is to stop, and the figures show that 1.9m people were taking these medicines for a year or more. This proposal was developed in collaboration with ten patients with experience of medication dependence and our approach is to work alongside patients throughout the study.
Project Aims
We will base the work in three GP practices; we will interview 20 patients who have experienced medication withdrawal and 15 health professionals. Using the findings, we will hold feedback events to identify what needs to be improved and then set up teams of patients and staff to put these improvements in place. After two months, we will meet the improvement teams again to explore what has worked well and what still needs to be done.
At the end of the study, we aim to have
- improved staff knowledge and skills in providing good care for patients;
- found solutions to improve care;
- improved patient experience; and
- helped patients and staff to work out ways of collaborating to improve services for people withdrawing from medication.
The overall impact of the study will be to improve understanding of patient experience in general practice and use this information to identify changes that can be made to ensure that patients have the best possible experience. Further information can be found here.
Who is involved
PIs:
Dr Jennifer Seddon, Dr Sarah Wadd
Co-investigators:
Dr Anthea Robinson, Dr Sion Scott, Mr David Dicks
Contact us
Dr Sion Scott, University of Leicester
