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Evaluation of POPGUNS: a tool to improve quality and safety of triage decisions by general practice receptionists

Cluster randomised trial of POPGUNS (Prioritisation of Patients: A Guide for Non-Clinical Staff) in general practice, assessing effect on safety and quality of triage decisions by general practice receptionists

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ISRCTN
Registry ID
ISRCTN58234128
Enrollment
24
Registered
2016-08-22
Start date
2011-04-01
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2016-10-24

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Prioritisation decisions by general practice receptionists Not Applicable Prioritisation decisions by general practice receptionists

Interventions

Practices are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Intervention group: Practices are provided with the POPGUNS decision protocol and the explanatory booklet. All intervention practices are visite

Sponsors

Rural Clinical School, Medical School, Australian National University
Lead Sponsor

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: Receptionist inclusion criteria: 1. General practice receptionists 2. Have not had any clinical training Practice inclusion criteria: must have more than 2 receptionists.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: General practice receptionists who have had clinical training.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Triaging practice by receptionists is assessed by self-reported response to hypothetical but representative patient scenarios, reflecting a range of matched acuity (or urgency) levels measured at baseline and at 4 months.

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
1. Patient satisfaction is measured using the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (Access and General Satisfaction subscales) at 4 months 2. Intra-practice consistency in rating between receptionists within a practice is measured by comparing variation between ratings of urgency accorded to a scenario between receptionists at baseline and at 4 months 3. Confidence of reception staff in decision-making is measured using self-report on a Likert scale at baseline and 4 months

Countries

Australia

Contacts

Public ContactChristine Phillips
christine.phiillips@anu.edu.au+61 2 61257665

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026