GP Remote Consultation to Reduce Opioid Prescribing

Summary

Opioid prescribing rates are high in the North East and North Cumbria region of England. The COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted the existing regional programme that aims to reduce the use of opioid medications, and also prescribing is likely to have increased during the lockdown. Thus, it has become increasingly challenging for primary care to dedicate sustained clinical time to tackle this complex issue with patients, who may also be reluctant to seek help. A video messaging intervention based upon a GP consultation was developed to remotely explain the rationale for opioid reduction and facilitate self-initiation of support. The short video suitable for smartphone viewing is messaged using a two-way communication system. Patients can watch the video and request additional support by replying with a simple text or email response. This enables efficient delivery of a discrete offer of help to at risk individuals who often avoid service contact. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential benefits, risks and economic consequences of 'at scale' implementation.

This study will be a mixed methods study comprising of a quasi-experimental non-randomised before-and-after study and qualitative interviews. In the first phase, the intervention arm will comprise 50 GP practices in the region using System 1 who will deliver the video to their patients. The control arm comprises 50 practices in the region using EMIS who will continue care as usual. The unit of analysis is the GP practice, with no individual-level quantitative data collected. Monthly practice level data will be accessed and followed up for 6 months. A general linear model will be used to estimate the association between the exposure (video message vs. control) and the outcome (opioid prescribing). In the second phase, semi-structured interviews will be undertaken remotely with purposively selected participants including patients who received the video and health professionals involved in sending out the videos. These interviews will be audio recorded with participants' consent, transcribed and analysed thematically.

As well as evidence and rapid insights to inform the potential accelerated implementation of the intervention within the Integrated Care System, this study will provide evidence that could underpin the future adoption of the intervention into wide scale clinical management that can be disseminated as a future national programme via the Academic Health Science Network.

Conditions

• Opioid Use

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Video message

The five-minute video will be sent to the patient's mobile phone, outlining reasons to reduce opioid use and highlighting the support available. It invites patients to consider 3 responses: 1. I would like to reduce my opioid medication with support. 2. I understand this video but I want to continue my current dose. 3. I would like to speak to someone to understand more. Option 1) will enable the GP practice to initiate existing opioid reduction support, Option 2) will continue care and support as usual, and Option 3) will enable the team to offer more information.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Teesside University

  collaborator OTHER

• NIHR Applied Research Collaboration for North East and North Cumbria

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• North East Academic Health Science Network

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Dr Yu Fu

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

110 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2023-02-01

Primary Completion

2023-06-01

Completion

2023-06-01

Countries

• United Kingdom

Study Locations