Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), Emergency Medicine, Health Inequalities, High Intensity Use of Urgent and Emergency Care, Mental Health
Conditions
Keywords
High intensity use, Frequent attenders, Urgent and emergency care, Mixed methods, Co-production, Qualitative research, Health and social care needs, Preventative intervention
Brief summary
This study aims to understand the health and social care needs and experiences of adults who frequently use urgent and emergency care services in Dorset. Using a mixed-methods design, the study combines analysis of non-patient-identifiable business intelligence data with qualitative interviews and co-production activities. The business intelligence data contextualises patterns of high intensity service use and informs participant identification. Qualitative interviews will explore the personal, social and system-level factors that contribute to frequent attendance. Co-production activities with an advisory group, supported by The Lantern Trust in Weymouth, will use these findings to develop a preventative intervention model grounded in lived experience. The study will recruit up to 50 patients, up to 10 carers and up to 20 health and social care professionals. The findings will contribute to the development of more effective, person-centred approaches to supporting people who frequently use urgent and emergency care services and will inform national and local policy in this area.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Bournemouth University
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
Adults aged 18 or over who have been identified as experiencing high intensity use of urgent and emergency care services at University Hospitals Dorset, defined as five or more unplanned contacts within a 12-month period Adults aged 18 or over who provide unpaid care or support to someone who experiences high intensity use of urgent and emergency care services Health and social care professionals aged 18 or over involved in urgent and emergency care pathways at University Hospitals Dorset, Dorset HealthCare, Dorset Council or voluntary sector partner organisations Able to provide informed consent Willing to take part in an audio-recorded interview-
Exclusion criteria
Under 18 years of age Unable to provide informed consent Currently experiencing an acute mental health crisis requiring immediate clinical intervention Known history of violence or aggression towards health and social care professionals Currently receiving inpatient treatment at the time of recruitment No direct involvement in urgent and emergency care pathways at the participating organisations (professionals only)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Health and social care needs and experiences of adults who frequently use urgent and emergency care services in Dorset | 24 months | Assessed through qualitative interviews and analysis of non-patient-identifiable UHD business intelligence data, including identification of personal, social and system-level factors contributing to high intensity use and co-produced recommendations for a preventative intervention model. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Patterns of high intensity use of urgent and emergency care within the UHD population | 24 months | Descriptive analysis of non-patient-identifiable UHD business intelligence data including frequency of attendance, directorate and specialty contact and temporal patterns of service use. |
| Co-produced recommendations for a preventative intervention model | 24 months | Recommendations developed through co-production workshops with the Advisory Group, supported by The Lantern Trust, drawing on qualitative findings and participant priorities. |
| Evidence to inform future service development for people who experience high intensity use of urgent and emergency care | 24 months | Synthesis of qualitative and business intelligence data findings to identify opportunities for earlier, more coordinated and person-centred support for people who frequently use urgent and emergency care services. |
Outcome results
None listed