Evaluating video and hybrid group consultations in general practice: mixed-methods, participatory study protocol...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Delivery Innovation
• General Practice Management
• Digital Health Technologies

Background:

• General practice faces significant challenges including workload pressures, increasing chronic conditions, and staff shortages.
• Video and hybrid group consultations (VHGCs) are being implemented in UK general practices to manage these pressures.
• Understanding the impact of VHGCs on patient experience, healthcare utilization, quality, safety, equity, and affordability is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To gain an in-depth understanding of VHGCs for chronic conditions in general practice.
• To identify sociotechnical dynamics and assumptions influencing VHGC implementation.
• To inform practice, extend theory, and guide future healthcare delivery models.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods, multi-site study employing co-design and participatory approaches.
• Includes a national survey (WP1), co-design workshops (WP2), and a mixed-methods process evaluation in GP practices (WP3).
• Utilizes qualitative (interviews, focus groups, observation) and quantitative methods, alongside health economic analysis.

Main Results:

• Data collection and analysis are ongoing across survey, co-design, and process evaluation phases.
• Initial findings are expected to reveal insights into patient and staff experiences with VHGCs.
• Quantitative data will assess healthcare utilization, patient satisfaction, engagement, and activation.

Conclusions:

• The study aims to generate transferable learning on sociotechnical change in technology-supported healthcare.
• VHGCs serve as an exemplar for innovation in healthcare delivery.
• Findings will inform the design and implementation of future healthcare studies and models.