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Noble AJ, Morris B, Dixon P, Mathieson A, Ridsdale L, Morgan M, Dickson J, Goodacre S, Jackson M, Hughes D, Marson A, Holmes E. Service users' preferences and feasibility - which alternative care pathway for adult ambulance users achieves the optimal balance? Workshops for the COLLABORATE project. Seizure 2024; 118:17-27. [PMID: 38613878 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adults presenting to the ambulance service for diagnosed epilepsy are often transported to emergency departments (EDs) despite no clinical need. An alternative care pathway (CP) could allow paramedics to divert them from ED and instigate ambulatory care improvements. To identify the most promising CP configuration for subsequent testing, the COLLABORATE project surveyed people with epilepsy and family/friends who had recently used the English ambulance service to elicit preferences for 288 CP configurations for different seizures. This allowed CPs to be ranked according to alignment with service users' preferences. However, as well as being acceptable to users, a CP must be feasible. We thus engaged with paramedics, epilepsy specialists and commissioners to identify the optimal configuration. METHODS Three Knowledge Exchange workshops completed. Participants considered COLLABORATE's evidence on service users' preferences for the different configurations. Nominal group techniques elicited views on the feasibility of users' preferences according to APEASE criteria. Workshop groups specified the configuration/s considered optimum. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. Utility to users of the specified CP configurations estimated using the COLLABORATE preference survey data. RESULTS Twenty-seven participants found service users' preferences broadly feasible and outlined delivery recommendations. They identified enough commonality in preferences for different seizures to propose a single CP. Its configuration comprised: 1) patients staying where they were; 2) paramedics having access to medical records; 3) care episodes lasting <6 h; 4) paramedics receiving specialist advice on the day; 5) patient's GP being notified; and 6) a follow-up appointment being arranged with an epilepsy specialist. Preference data indicated higher utility for this configuration compared to current care. DISCUSSION Stakeholders are of the view that the CP configuration favoured by service users could be NHS feasible. It should be developed and evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Noble
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Beth Morris
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Pete Dixon
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Amy Mathieson
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Leone Ridsdale
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Myfanwy Morgan
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, UK
| | - Jon Dickson
- Academic Unit of Primary Medical Care, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Steve Goodacre
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Mike Jackson
- North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Bolton, UK
| | - Dyfrig Hughes
- Centre for Health Economics & Medicines Evaluation, North Wales Medical School, Bangor University, UK; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Anthony Marson
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Emily Holmes
- Centre for Health Economics & Medicines Evaluation, North Wales Medical School, Bangor University, UK; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK
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Holmes E, Dixon P, Mathieson A, Ridsdale L, Morgan M, McKinlay A, Dickson J, Goodacre S, Jackson M, Foster D, Hardman K, Bell S, Marson A, Hughes D, Noble AJ. Developing an alternative care pathway for emergency ambulance responses for adults with epilepsy: A Discrete Choice Experiment to understand which configuration service users prefer. Part of the COLLABORATE project. Seizure 2024; 118:28-37. [PMID: 38615478 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To identify service users' preferences for an alternative care pathway for adults with epilepsy presenting to the ambulance service. METHODS Extensive formative work (qualitative, survey and knowledge exchange) informed the design of a stated preference discrete choice experiment (DCE). This hypothetical survey was hosted online and consisted of 12 binary choices of alternative care pathways described in terms of: the paramedic's access to medical records/ 'care plan', what happens next (described in terms of conveyance), time, availability of epilepsy specialists today, general practitioner (GP) notification and future contact with epilepsy specialists. DCE scenarios were described as: (i) typical seizure at home. (ii) typical seizure in public, (iii) atypical seizure. Respondents were recruited by a regional English ambulance service and by national public adverts. Participants were randomised to complete 2 of the 3 DCEs. RESULTS People with epilepsy (PWE; n = 427) and friends/family (n = 167) who completed the survey were representative of the target population. PWE preferred paramedics to have access to medical records, non-conveyance, to avoid lengthy episodes of care, availability of epilepsy specialists today, GP notification, and contact with epilepsy specialists within 2-3 weeks. Significant others (close family members or friends) preferred PWE experiencing an atypical seizure to be conveyed to an Urgent Treatment Centre and preferred shorter times. Optimal configuration of services from service users' perspective far out ranked current practice (rank 230/288 possible configurations). DISCUSSION Preferences differ to current practice but have minimal variation by seizure type or stakeholder. Further work on feasibility of these pathways in England, and potentially beyond, is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Holmes
- Centre for Health Economics & Medicines Evaluation, North Wales Medical School, Bangor University, UK; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Pete Dixon
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Amy Mathieson
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK; Centre for Primary Care and Health Services Research, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Leone Ridsdale
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Myfanwy Morgan
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, UK
| | - Alison McKinlay
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; Centre for Behaviour Change, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, UK
| | - Jon Dickson
- Academic Unit of Primary Medical Care, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Steve Goodacre
- School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, UK
| | - Mike Jackson
- North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Bolton, UK
| | | | | | - Steve Bell
- North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Bolton, UK
| | - Anthony Marson
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Dyfrig Hughes
- Centre for Health Economics & Medicines Evaluation, North Wales Medical School, Bangor University, UK; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, UK
| | - Adam J Noble
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
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Noble AJ, Morris B, Bonnett LJ, Reuber M, Mason S, Wright J, Pilbery R, Bell F, Shillito T, Marson AG, Dickson JM. 'Knowledge exchange' workshops to optimise development of a risk prediction tool to assist conveyance decisions for suspected seizures - Part of the Risk of ADverse Outcomes after a Suspected Seizure (RADOSS) project. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 151:109611. [PMID: 38199055 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Suspected seizures present challenges for ambulance services, with paramedics reporting uncertainty over whether or not to convey individuals to emergency departments. The Risk of ADverse Outcomes after a Suspected Seizure (RADOSS) project aims to address this by developing a risk assessment tool utilizing structured patient care record and dispatch data. It proposes a tool that would provide estimates of an individual's likelihood of death and/or recontact with emergency care within 3 days if conveyed compared to not conveyed, and the likelihood of an 'avoidable attendance' occurring if conveyed. Knowledge Exchange workshops engaged stakeholders to resolve key design uncertainties before model derivation. METHOD Six workshops involved 26 service users and their significant others (epilepsy or nonepileptic attack disorder), and 25 urgent and emergency care clinicians from different English ambulance regions. Utilizing Nominal Group Techniques, participants shared views of the proposed tool, benefits and concerns, suggested predictors, critiqued outcome measures, and expressed functionality preferences. Data were analysed using Hamilton's Rapid Analysis. RESULTS Stakeholders supported tool development, proposing 10 structured variables for predictive testing. Emphasis was placed on the tool supporting, not dictating, care decisions. Participants highlighted some reasons why RADOSS might struggle to derive a predictive model based on structured data alone and suggested some non-structured variables for future testing. Feedback on prediction timeframes for service recontact was received, along with advice on amending the 'avoidable attendance' definition to prevent the tool's predictions being undermined by potential overuse of certain investigations in hospital. CONCLUSION Collaborative stakeholder engagement provided crucial insights that can guide RADOSS to develop a user-aligned, optimized tool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Noble
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
| | - Beth Morris
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Laura J Bonnett
- Department of Health Data Science, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Markus Reuber
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Suzanne Mason
- Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | | | - Fiona Bell
- Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Wakefield, UK
| | | | - Anthony G Marson
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jon M Dickson
- Population Health, School of Medicine and Population Health, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Noble AJ, Lees C, Hughes K, Almond L, Ibrahim H, Broadbent C, Dixon P, Marson AG. Raring to go? A cross-sectional survey of student paramedics on how well they perceive their UK pre-registration course to be preparing them to manage suspected seizures. BMC Emerg Med 2023; 23:119. [PMID: 37807077 PMCID: PMC10561511 DOI: 10.1186/s12873-023-00889-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Paramedics convey a high proportion of seizure patients with no clinical need to emergency departments (EDs). In a landmark study, only 27% of UK paramedics reported being "Very…"/ "Extremely confident" making seizure conveyance decisions. Improved pre-registration education on seizures for paramedics is proposed. Clarity is needed on its potential given recent changes to how UK paramedics train (namely, degree, rather than brief vocational course). This study sought to describe UK student paramedics' perceived readiness to manage seizures and educational needs; compare this to what they report for other presentations; and, explore subgroup differences. METHODS Six hundred thirty-eight students, in year 2 or beyond of their pre-registration programme completed a cross-sectional survey. They rated perceived confidence, knowledge, ability to care for, and educational needs for seizures, breathing problems and, headache. Primary measure was conveyance decision confidence. RESULTS For seizures, 45.3% (95% CI 41.4-49.2) said they were "Very…"/"Extremely confident" to make conveyance decisions. This was similar to breathing problems, but higher than for headache (25.9%, 95% CI 22.6-29.5). Two hundred and thirty-nine participants (37.9%, 95% CI 34.1-41.8) said more seizure education was required - lower than for headache, but higher than for breathing problems. Subgroup differences included students on university-based programmes reporting more confidence for conveyance decisions than those completing degree level apprenticeships. CONCLUSIONS Student paramedics report relatively high perceived readiness for managing seizures. Magnitude of benefit from enhancements to pre-registration education may be more limited than anticipated. Additional factors need attention if a sizeable reduction to unnecessary conveyances for seizures is to happen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Noble
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Ground Floor, Whelan Building, Liverpool, L69 3GL, UK.
| | - Carolyn Lees
- School of Health Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Kay Hughes
- School of Public and Allied Health, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Lucy Almond
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Hesham Ibrahim
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Cerys Broadbent
- Department of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Pete Dixon
- Department of Primary Care and Mental Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Anthony G Marson
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Noble AJ, Mason SM, Bonnett LJ, Reuber M, Wright J, Pilbery R, Jacques RM, Simpson RM, Campbell R, Fuller A, Marson AG, Dickson JM. Supporting the ambulance service to safely convey fewer patients to hospital by developing a risk prediction tool: Risk of Adverse Outcomes after a Suspected Seizure (RADOSS)-protocol for the mixed-methods observational RADOSS project. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e069156. [PMID: 36375988 PMCID: PMC9668054 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ambulances services are asked to further reduce avoidable conveyances to emergency departments (EDs). Risk of Adverse Outcomes after a Suspected Seizure seeks to support this by: (1) clarifying the risks of conveyance and non-conveyance, and (2) developing a risk prediction tool for clinicians to use 'on scene' to estimate the benefits an individual would receive if conveyed to ED and risks if not. METHODS AND ANALYSIS Mixed-methods, multi-work package (WP) project. For WP1 and WP2 we shall use an existing linked data set that tracks urgent and emergency care (UEC) use of persons served by one English regional ambulance service. Risk tools are specific to clinical scenarios. We shall use suspected seizures in adults as an exemplar.WP1: Form a cohort of patients cared for a seizure by the service during 2019/2020. It, and nested Knowledge Exchange workshops with clinicians and service users, will allow us to: determine the proportions following conveyance and non-conveyance that die and/or recontact UEC system within 3 (/30) days; quantify the proportion of conveyed incidents resulting in 'avoidable ED attendances' (AA); optimise risk tool development; and develop statistical models that, using information available 'on scene', predict the risk of death/recontact with the UEC system within 3 (/30) days and the likelihood of an attendance at ED resulting in an AA.WP2: Form a cohort of patients cared for a seizure during 2021/2022 to 'temporally' validate the WP1 predictive models.WP3: Complete the 'next steps' workshops with stakeholders. Using nominal group techniques, finalise plans to develop the risk tool for clinical use and its evaluation. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION WP1a and WP2 will be conducted under database ethical approval (IRAS 307353) and Confidentiality Advisory Group (22/CAG/0019) approval. WP1b and WP3 have approval from the University of Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee (11450). We shall engage in proactive dissemination and knowledge mobilisation to share findings with stakeholders and maximise evidence usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Noble
- Department of Public Health, Policy and Systems, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Suzanne M Mason
- School of Health and Related Research, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Laura J Bonnett
- Department of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Markus Reuber
- Academic Neurology Unit, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Richard Pilbery
- Research and Development Department, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, Wakefield, UK
| | - Richard M Jacques
- School of Health and Related Research, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Rebecca M Simpson
- School of Health and Related Research, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Richard Campbell
- School of Health and Related Research, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Anthony Guy Marson
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jon Mark Dickson
- Academic Unit of Primary Medical Care, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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