What is this research about?
Many people who are admitted to hospital have complex health and care needs. In order to provide quality care, GPs need clear information from hospital teams when they discharge a patient. The results of this study will help to improve this discharge communication.
What does this research consist of?
The researcher (Dr Lucy Pocock) will be observing conversations between staff on wards in two hospitals – North Bristol NHS Trust and Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. If you are a patient on, or a visitor to, one of the wards taking part in the study, you might see a researcher watching staff and taking notes. We are not observing patients and this research will not affect their medical treatment. The researcher (a qualified GP) may be present during conversations and discussion about patients, but no confidential information will be recorded.
Interviews will be carried out with hospital staff, GPs, patients and their carers, friends and family.
Can I take part?
You may be invited to be interviewed because you, or someone you are close to, has recently been discharged from one of the hospitals involved in the study. If you are selected to take part, an invitation letter will be sent to you by the hospital team two weeks after discharge. You do not have to take part and your care won’t be affected if you don’t.
What will happen to me if I take part?
- You will be asked to read an information sheet. You can ask the research team for more information or any questions you have about taking part.
- If you agree to take part in an interview, a researcher will contact you via telephone, email or by post to arrange a date and time to suit you in the next couple of weeks.
- The researcher will then call or visit you at the agreed time, describe the study information and ask for your consent to the interview.
- The researcher will then ask you some questions about your thoughts on the information that was sent to your GP after your recent hospital discharge. There are no right or wrong answers; we are interested in hearing your opinions and experiences. The interview will take up to 60 minutes and will be audio-recorded.
- You don’t have to answer any questions you would prefer not to and are free to stop the interview at any point without giving a reason why.
- Afterwards, the interview will be written up by a member of the research team or someone authorised by the University of Bristol. Any mention of names or other identifiable information will be removed. After analysis, quotes from your interview might be used in presentations or articles, but it won’t be possible to identify you.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
Some people find it rewarding to be involved in research and you may enjoy talking about your recent discharge from hospital. Your participation will not directly affect your, or your loved ones, care, but your views and experiences will help us to find ways to improve the information sent to GPs when someone is discharged from hospital in the future. If you decide to participate, you will be provided with a £25 Love2Shop voucher in recognition of your time and effort.
What are the possible risks or disadvantages in taking part?
Taking part in this study will mean giving up the time to be interviewed for up to 60 minutes.
Some of the topics the researcher would like to discuss might be upsetting for you. If you find any subject difficult or uncomfortable, please let the researcher know. It is entirely up to you how much you are willing to discuss and we will be flexible to take this into account. If you should feel upset by talking about your health, or that of the person you care for, the researcher will be able to provide you with information about sources of support.
Where can I get more information?
If you have further questions about this study, please do not hesitate to contact us:
Dr Lucy Pocock (Chief Investigator)
Email: ships-study@bristol.ac.uk
Tel: 0117 4550992
Bristol Medical School, Canynge Hall, 39 Whatley Road, Bristol BS8 2PS
Twitter: @SHIPSstudy