Thank you for your interest in our study.
We are a team of researchers from the University of Cambridge. Our study aims to better understand how physical illness is diagnosed in primary care for patients with co-occurring mental illness. We would like to hear about your clinical experience to understand what leads to a successful diagnosis and what kind of barriers you may face.
We arranged with your practice that you can take part in this research during your working hours, and you will receive a certificate for attendance worth 1 CPD point (one hour of Continuing Professional Development).
The research is led by Dr Elisa Liberati and Prof Graham Martin.
Why does your participation matter?
Patients with severe mental illness (SMI) have been found to die at a younger age compared to the general population due to physical illness. This mortality gap is concerning. An annual physical health check is now in place for this patient group, but, sadly, the premature mortality rate in adults with SMI is still increasing. Additionally, people with other mental health diagnoses have also been found to have shorter lives due to physical illness. Individuals with personality disorders are particularly affected by the mortality gap.
As a GP currently working in primary care, we would like to hear about your experience of diagnosing physical illness for patients with co-occurring SMI or personality disorders.
We understand you are working in challenging circumstances. Pressures on general practice are increasing, with GPs having to make complex diagnostic decisions in a limited amount of time. This research also hopes to give voice to your experience and the challenges GPs are facing.
If you decide to take part in this study, we will invite you to join us for a short telephone interview. We will ask you about your experience of the diagnostic process in these patient groups, the factors shaping your diagnostic decisions, what barriers you may face and ‘what good looks like’, and your suggestions for improvement.
Why have you been contacted?
Our team worked with three GP practices across England to find potential participants. We are seeking GPs at all stages in their careers, and trainees with at least one year of experience of working in primary care.
As part of this research, we are also interviewing patients with SMI and personality disorders and their carers.
What will happen if you decide to take part?
Before we begin, we have a few questions below to confirm your eligibility for the study. Once you confirm your eligibility, we will contact you via email. We will send you an electronic information leaflet and a consent form. If you are happy to sign this, we will arrange an interview at a time that suits you best. We offer flexibility with timings and methods. Interviews can be conducted over the phone or a video call (via Zoom/Teams).
In the interview, we will ask about your experiences of diagnosing physical health problems in patients with severe mental illness and personality disorders. Your perspective and reflections are very valuable to us and will remain anonymous and confidential.
The only reason to break confidentiality would be in cases of severe patient harm. Before breaking confidentiality, we would discuss this with you and ask for a second opinion from two medical consultants. We expect this to be highly unlikely to occur.
If you are interested, we will keep you updated on how your contributions are being used to influence positive changes in healthcare services.
What are the benefits of taking part?
We have arranged with your practice that you can take part in the interview in your working time. After participating in the study, you will receive a certificate for attendance worth 1 CPD point (Continuing Professional Development), which can contribute towards your annual appraisal.
The study is also an opportunity to have your voice heard. By listening to your experiences, we hope to make suggestions for positive changes in general practice for clinicians and patients with severe mental illness.