This is a collaborative project involving Newcastle University, Teesside University and the Academic Health Sciences Network North East and Cumbria. The project is funded the NHS Insights Prioritisation Project (commissioned by the Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC) and the National Institute for Health Research; NIHR). NIPP is a funding stream designed to accelerate the evaluation and implementation of innovation that supports post-pandemic ways of working, builds service resilience and delivers benefits to patients.
About the project
We are looking for EMIS or SystmOne GP practices in the North-East of England and North Cumbria to enrol in a two-armed, non-randomised controlled before-and-after study that tests the acceptability and efficacy of a GP-designed, remote video intervention. This digital intervention is aimed at identifying and supporting patients who would benefit from opioid medicine reduction in an efficient and effective way. This project investigates the rollout of this new innovation by the Academic Health Sciences Network North East and North Cumbria.
We need practices to enrol as soon as possible, please get in touch if you want to discuss this further.
The Intervention
- A 5-min GP-designed educational video sent to a patient’s mobile phone providing rationale for reducing opioids use and facilitating self-initiation of support.
- Patients can respond via SMS if they want standard support, a call-back to discuss or no further action.
- Sent to patients on long-term opioids (more than 90 days) at doses of 90mg morphine equivalent or more (excludes palliative/cancer).
The Research Design
- Analysis of ePACT2 data for video versus standard care to see if any reduction in opioids has been achieved.
- Interviews with staff and patients using the video to determine barriers and enablers to routine use.
Why should we get involved?
- 25% of patients in the pilot study responded immediately asking to stop or reduce their opioids.
- Led and delivered by a dedicated research team from Newcastle and Teesside Universities.
- It is free to join!
- You can find out about the rates of opioid prescribing within your practice.
- This work will inform evidence to support a wider roll-out of the digital intervention.
How to get involved:
- Contact the study co-ordinator, Tania Jones, Lecturer in Pharmacy, Newcastle University at:
Tel: +44 (0) 191 208 2335 (Newcastle University Pharmacy School Office – please leave a message for study co-ordinator Tania Jones and we will call you back).