Start date: October 1997
Planned end date: March
2001Estimated cost: £99,762
Research objectives
This controlled randomised study evaluates two approaches to
reducing asthma re-attendance at an Accident and Emergency Department and improving
patient outcomes after attendance.
Using a 2 x 2 design patients are randomised to specialist follow-up
after A & E attendance vs. no follow-up, and to telephone follow-up with mailed asthma
information vs. no telephone follow up.
300 patients will be entered into the study over 15 months, and
outcomes assessed for 12 months after entry. Outcomes are re-attendance at Accident
Emergency and hospital admission , patient attendance at GP follow up, asthma medication
prescriptions over the next 12 months, patient self management, morbidity and QOL at 1
month, 6 months and 12 months.
A cost benefit analysis will be carried out. The study will compare
relative benefits of the two interventions for cost effectiveness in reducing use of
emergency services and improving patient outcomes. The study offers potential benefits to
patients in improved services and reduced morbidity and to the NHS in improved efficiency
and reduction of costs for emergency care. It increases our understanding of why patients
use A & E in preference to general practice care.
The research objectives are to assess whether the interventions of telephone follow
up and/or specialist respiratory review:-
| a) | reduce A&E re-attendance and hospital admission over the 12 months following initial attendance. |
| b) | improve patients' management adhering to BTS guidelines (amount of inhaled and oral steroids prescribed, GP reviews). |
| c) | improves patient morbidity, asthma knowledge and Quality of Life at 1, 6 and 12 months after A&E attendance. |
| d) | are economical and practical ways to provide a service for these patients, given the problems of patient non-attendance at the review and telephone access, over the 12 months following initial attendance. |
For further information contact
Dr Leisl Osman
Senior Research Fellow
Aberdeen Royal Hospitals NHS Trust
Chest Clinic (Clinic C)
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Aberdeen, AB25 2ZN
UK.
Return to Commissioned Research: Ongoing Projects
Page maintained by Philip Green
Last updated 21 May 1999
This page looks best when viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer.