What’s the project?
Researchers from The University of Manchester are exploring how to help make online consultation notes easier for patient audiences to understand as part of a project funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Find out more
Soon patients in England will be able to see the notes that health professionals write during primary care (GP) appointments through their online health record which can be accessed through services such as the NHS App.
In the past, patient health records have mostly been used as a medical tool and have been written with clinical audiences in mind.
In the future, health professionals will need to ensure that notes are written in a way that patients can easily understand, and that minimises the risk of causing anxiety or unintended offence.
This research project is trying to find out how to make it easier for people to understand their online consultation notes so that we can develop some training to help health professionals write for patient audiences in the future.
We want to make sure young peoples’ views and needs are taken into account and we are looking for 6 young people aged between 16-25 years to take part in an online focus group discussion.
You will be asked to take part in an online, small group discussion. This will take place over zoom with a project researcher and 5 other young people. The discussion won’t last any longer than 2 hours.
You will be sent examples of patient scenarios and copies of example consultation records before the focus group discussion so that you have a chance to read these in advance if you want to.
During the focus group, we will read out the descriptions of the patients and give you time to read the health records that we have created. We will then ask you to share your views on:
- What you feel is well written?
- What might be difficult to understand?
- What might cause anxiety or offence?
- Things you feel healthcare professionals should consider when writing notes that this patient would see.
- Solutions that can help healthcare professionals write health records in a more patient-centred way in the future.
To take part in this opportunity, you:
- Must be aged 16-25 years
- Must be available to take part on Thursday 20th April 5-7pm
- Have access to a quiet, confidential space to meet via Zoom
- Have a stable internet connection
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email [email protected] or [email protected] with brief answers to the following questions:
- What is your name?
- What is your age?
- Are you based in England?
- Why are you interested in this specific opportunity?
- Please give details of any relevant experience
- Sometimes after talking about topics like mental health, people feel they need a little extra support or someone to chat to. What support do you currently have in place (e.g. supportive friends, family, health professionals or mental health charities)? Is there anything that [insert name of organisation here] could do to support you or make your involvement experience better?
- How did you hear about this opportunity?
You are welcome to send your responses in audio or video format if preferred!
If you need any help completing your expression of interest, you can get in touch with Michaela or Gail.
Please note that the McPin Foundation regularly promotes opportunities on behalf of other institutions; we are not responsible for the continuation or contents of further correspondence with any project partners where we are not listed as the project main point of contact.
