Why Test study protocol: a UK-wide audit using the Primary Care Academic CollaboraTive (PACT) to explore the reasons for primary care testing.

clinical decision-making clinical laboratory techniques collaborative research electronic health records feasibility studies general practice hematologic tests primary health care

Journal

BJGP open
ISSN: 2398-3795
Titre abrégé: BJGP Open
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101713531

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
Sep 2022
Historique:
received: 08 02 2022
revised: 14 04 2022
accepted: 26 04 2022
pubmed: 5 5 2022
medline: 5 5 2022
entrez: 4 5 2022
Statut: epublish

Résumé

The number of blood tests done in primary care has been increasing over the past 20 years. Some estimates suggest that up to one-quarter of these tests may not have been needed. This could lead to a cascade effect of further investigations, appointments, or referrals, as well as anxiety for patients, increased workload, and costs to the health service. To better understand the impact and sequelae of blood tests on patients, it is necessary to know why blood tests are requested and what is done with the results. To explore who orders blood tests and why, and how test results are actioned in primary care. Retrospective audit of electronic health records in general practices across the UK. The Primary care Academic CollaboraTive (PACT), a UK-wide network of primary care health professionals, will be utilised to collect data from individual practices. PACT members will be asked to review the electronic health records of 50 patients who had recent blood tests in their practice, and manually extract anonymised data on who requested the test, the indication, the result, and subsequent actions. Data will also be collected from PACT members to assess the feasibility of the collaborative model. PACT offers a unique opportunity to extract clinical data which cannot otherwise be obtained. Understanding the indications for tests will help identify priority areas for research to optimise testing and patient safety in primary care.

Sections du résumé

BACKGROUND BACKGROUND
The number of blood tests done in primary care has been increasing over the past 20 years. Some estimates suggest that up to one-quarter of these tests may not have been needed. This could lead to a cascade effect of further investigations, appointments, or referrals, as well as anxiety for patients, increased workload, and costs to the health service. To better understand the impact and sequelae of blood tests on patients, it is necessary to know why blood tests are requested and what is done with the results.
AIM OBJECTIVE
To explore who orders blood tests and why, and how test results are actioned in primary care.
DESIGN & SETTING METHODS
Retrospective audit of electronic health records in general practices across the UK.
METHOD METHODS
The Primary care Academic CollaboraTive (PACT), a UK-wide network of primary care health professionals, will be utilised to collect data from individual practices. PACT members will be asked to review the electronic health records of 50 patients who had recent blood tests in their practice, and manually extract anonymised data on who requested the test, the indication, the result, and subsequent actions. Data will also be collected from PACT members to assess the feasibility of the collaborative model.
CONCLUSION CONCLUSIONS
PACT offers a unique opportunity to extract clinical data which cannot otherwise be obtained. Understanding the indications for tests will help identify priority areas for research to optimise testing and patient safety in primary care.

Identifiants

pubmed: 35508322
pii: BJGPO.2022.0017
doi: 10.3399/BJGPO.2022.0017
pmc: PMC9680757
pii:
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article

Langues

eng

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2022, The Authors.

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Auteurs

Alexander Burrell (A)

Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.

Polly Duncan (P)

Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.

Ian Bennett-Britton (I)

Primary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.

Sam Hodgson (S)

Primary Care Research Centre, School of Primary Care, Population Sciences and Medical Education, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.

Samuel Wd Merriel (SW)

Exeter Collaboration for Academic Primary Care (APEx), Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.

Salman Waqar (S)

Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.

Penny Whiting (P)

Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.

Jessica Watson (J)

Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK jessica.watson@bristol.ac.uk.

Classifications MeSH