Quantifying, Understanding and Enhancing Relational Continuity of Care (QUERCC): a mixed-methods protocol
Introduction Relational continuity of care is where patients see the same clinicians over time. Evidence suggests relational continuity of care is valued by patients and clinicians and results in better health. While current National Health Service policy aims to maintain relational continuity of ca...
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BMJ Publishing Group
2025-04-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
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| author | Panagiotis Kasteridis Tom Marshall Krishnarajah Nirantharakumar Sheila Greenfield Brian H Willis Fiona Scheibl Iestyn Williams Kamil Sterniczuk Jinyang Chen Zecharias Fetene Anteneh |
| author_facet | Panagiotis Kasteridis Tom Marshall Krishnarajah Nirantharakumar Sheila Greenfield Brian H Willis Fiona Scheibl Iestyn Williams Kamil Sterniczuk Jinyang Chen Zecharias Fetene Anteneh |
| author_sort | Panagiotis Kasteridis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction Relational continuity of care is where patients see the same clinicians over time. Evidence suggests relational continuity of care is valued by patients and clinicians and results in better health. While current National Health Service policy aims to maintain relational continuity of care, it has been declining in recent years, which may be linked to the growth in practice size, increased staff turnover, part-time working and the focus on patient access. Our research aims to develop resources to help clinicians measure, manage and improve relational continuity of care.Methods and analysis A mixed-methods approach in UK primary care commencing with two workshops drawing patients, clinicians and researchers together to establish an agreed approach on the measurement of continuity of care. Second, analysis of national data will provide insight into how staff turnover, part time working, practice size and funding per patient affects continuity. Third, case studies in a sample of high-performing practices will document the barriers and facilitators to the establishment and maintenance of continuity of care. Fourth, an economic analysis of resource costs and health outcomes using linked primary and secondary care data will show whether costs influence continuity for different patient groups (by age, sex, deprivation status and chronic disease status). Fifth, we will develop practical guidance for clinicians to improve continuity of care, based on the findings from each stage of the research.Ethics and dissemination The study has approval from HRA Health and Care Research Wales Research Ethics Committee (HCRW). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, participatory workshops, podcasts, clinical networks and academic conferences. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ce46df3b7e764812a6cc8db4eeeab9b3 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-ce46df3b7e764812a6cc8db4eeeab9b32025-08-20T02:57:46ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552025-04-0115410.1136/bmjopen-2024-088573Quantifying, Understanding and Enhancing Relational Continuity of Care (QUERCC): a mixed-methods protocolPanagiotis Kasteridis0Tom Marshall1Krishnarajah Nirantharakumar2Sheila Greenfield3Brian H Willis4Fiona Scheibl5Iestyn Williams6Kamil Sterniczuk7Jinyang Chen8Zecharias Fetene Anteneh94 Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, Yorkshire, UK1 School of Health Sciences, Public Health and Epidemiology, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK2 School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK2 School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UKclinician scientist2 School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK3 School of Social Policy, College of Social Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK2 School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK4 Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, Yorkshire, UK4 Centre for Health Economics, University of York, York, Yorkshire, UKIntroduction Relational continuity of care is where patients see the same clinicians over time. Evidence suggests relational continuity of care is valued by patients and clinicians and results in better health. While current National Health Service policy aims to maintain relational continuity of care, it has been declining in recent years, which may be linked to the growth in practice size, increased staff turnover, part-time working and the focus on patient access. Our research aims to develop resources to help clinicians measure, manage and improve relational continuity of care.Methods and analysis A mixed-methods approach in UK primary care commencing with two workshops drawing patients, clinicians and researchers together to establish an agreed approach on the measurement of continuity of care. Second, analysis of national data will provide insight into how staff turnover, part time working, practice size and funding per patient affects continuity. Third, case studies in a sample of high-performing practices will document the barriers and facilitators to the establishment and maintenance of continuity of care. Fourth, an economic analysis of resource costs and health outcomes using linked primary and secondary care data will show whether costs influence continuity for different patient groups (by age, sex, deprivation status and chronic disease status). Fifth, we will develop practical guidance for clinicians to improve continuity of care, based on the findings from each stage of the research.Ethics and dissemination The study has approval from HRA Health and Care Research Wales Research Ethics Committee (HCRW). Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, participatory workshops, podcasts, clinical networks and academic conferences.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/4/e088573.full |
| spellingShingle | Panagiotis Kasteridis Tom Marshall Krishnarajah Nirantharakumar Sheila Greenfield Brian H Willis Fiona Scheibl Iestyn Williams Kamil Sterniczuk Jinyang Chen Zecharias Fetene Anteneh Quantifying, Understanding and Enhancing Relational Continuity of Care (QUERCC): a mixed-methods protocol BMJ Open |
| title | Quantifying, Understanding and Enhancing Relational Continuity of Care (QUERCC): a mixed-methods protocol |
| title_full | Quantifying, Understanding and Enhancing Relational Continuity of Care (QUERCC): a mixed-methods protocol |
| title_fullStr | Quantifying, Understanding and Enhancing Relational Continuity of Care (QUERCC): a mixed-methods protocol |
| title_full_unstemmed | Quantifying, Understanding and Enhancing Relational Continuity of Care (QUERCC): a mixed-methods protocol |
| title_short | Quantifying, Understanding and Enhancing Relational Continuity of Care (QUERCC): a mixed-methods protocol |
| title_sort | quantifying understanding and enhancing relational continuity of care quercc a mixed methods protocol |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/4/e088573.full |
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