The Connection Study

CPMS code:  58122

Lead Network: West of England

Study Summary

Severe and multiple disadvantage (SMD) includes experiences of homelessness, substance misuse, violence and abuse and poor mental health. People with SMD often have several unmet mental and physical health needs. Despite this, general practice is often inaccessible to people with SMD. 

Access to general practice for people with SMD is a complex issue, and is likely to be highly context dependent. There is limited literature on successful interventions for improving access for such a marginalised group. However, there is a growing network of experts who provide enhanced primary care to people with SMD and are trying different, enhanced primary care for people with SMD. This research aims to learn from the experience of general practice providers in up to 4 general practices and patients/ carers who are in the catchment of these practices and would be eligible for the enhanced care but may or may not be receiving this. This research involves interviewing a purposively diverse sample of up to fourteen experts who deliver and commission enhanced general practice for people with SMD, and up to fourteen patients and carers who would be eligible for this enhanced care at the site but may or may not be registered or receiving it. Patients and carers will be recruited through the practice, but also through community or support organisations local to the practice, with the aim of capturing both the perspectives of those who are managing to access the enhanced care and those who are not. This is to better understand what works, when, how, to what extent, for whom and why, in providing enhanced primary care for people with SMD. This research will be used to further advance an in-depth explanation that can ultimately be used to develop an intervention to improve access to general practice for people with SMD. 

The search files hosted on this website are based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria as described in the study protocol and have been built and tested with input from our GP Champion teams. Every effort is made to keep the search files  hosted here maintained and up-to-date. 

However, it is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to review the search and make any practice specific amendments as deemed necessary*. 

Please DO NOT mail out to patients until you have confirmation and sign off ('green light') from the study team.

*You should advise the study team of any amendments you make to the search.

Disclaimer:

Please note the resources provided are designed to assist with the identification of potentially suitable patients and to appropriately code these patients if required.

These resources have been developed based on the criteria provided by the relevant study team and whilst every effort has been made to make them universally implementable they rely on read codes and the data stored in the individual practice's clinical system. These resources are intended to assist with identification but should be used in conjunction with clinical oversight and a clear understanding of the study parameters.

While we endeavor to keep the information, tools and resources provided up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the tools provided for any purpose. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.

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