Patient-led appointment scheduling in NHS Talking Therapies
This study is exploring a new way for people to book their therapy appointments in NHS Talking Therapies. Currently, appointments are usually scheduled for you. This new approach, called "patient-led scheduling," lets you decide how often you have therapy sessions and how many you book over a few months. The researchers believe this might make therapy services easier for people to get into, particularly for those who sometimes struggle with current systems. They also think it could make patients happier and be more cost-effective for the NHS. This initial study is checking if it's possible to run a larger study later to compare how well this new method works against the usual way of booking appointments.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This research is looking into how people book appointments for talking therapy in NHS Talking Therapies. Many people find talking therapies helpful for common mental health problems like depression and anxiety. However, some groups, including people from ethnic minorities, disabled people, and older people, find it harder to get the support they need.
Currently, therapy appointments are often arranged in a set way. This study is testing out a new idea called "patient-led appointment scheduling." This means you would have more say in your therapy, like how often you have sessions and how many you book. The team thinks this new way might make it easier for people to access therapy, be more satisfying for patients, and potentially save money for the NHS.
This is a first step, a smaller study to see if this patient-led approach can work in practice. The main goal is to find out if enough people would want to try it and if it's possible to collect information about their mental health and how they use NHS services. This will help the researchers decide if they can go on to do a bigger study comparing the new method with the usual way of booking appointments.
Key takeaways
- This study is testing a new way for patients to book their own NHS talking therapy appointments.
- It aims to see if giving patients more control improves access, satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness.
- You would be randomly assigned to either the usual way of booking or the new patient-led approach.
- Participation involves questionnaires and potentially an interview.
- You will be paid for your time spent completing questionnaires and interviews.
- You can stop taking part at any point without explanation.
Who may be eligible?
You might be able to join this study if you are an adult (18 or older) who has been referred to NHS Talking Therapies for support. Specifically, you need to have had an initial appointment and been told that one-to-one therapy with a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner is suitable for you.
This means you would typically be getting support for milder mental health problems through a type of therapy often called 'Step 2' support. You also need to be able to understand the study information and agree to take part.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Have you been referred to NHS Talking Therapies?
- Have you had an initial assessment and been told one-to-one therapy with a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner is right for you?
- Do you feel able to understand information about the study and agree to take part?
What does participation involve?
If you're interested, a research team member will explain the study and check if you can take part. You'll get at least 24 hours to decide, and if you agree, you'll sign a consent form or have your agreement recorded.
You'll then fill out some questionnaires about your feelings, satisfaction with support, and some personal details like age and health history. You can skip any questions you don't want to answer. You'll then be randomly placed into one of two groups: one where you continue with regular NHS appointment scheduling, and another where you get to choose how often and how many sessions you book for up to six months. Two out of three participants will be in this patient-led group.
Following this, you'll complete the same questionnaires again after six months and then after nine months. Some participants may also be asked to do an interview (lasting up to 60 minutes) to talk about their experiences, but you can say no to this and still be in the rest of the study. You can also stop taking part at any time.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (2)
- Prestwich HospitalApproximateManchester, England
- Pennine Care NHS Foundation TrustCity onlyAshton-under-lyne, England
Common questions
What is NHS Talking Therapies?
It's a free NHS service for common mental health problems like anxiety and depression, offering therapies like counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
What does 'patient-led appointment scheduling' mean?
It means you get to choose how many therapy sessions you book and how often they happen, rather than having them arranged for you.
Will my information be kept private?
Yes, quotes from interviews may be used, but your identity will always be protected, and you won't be able to be recognised.
Can I stop participating if I change my mind?
Absolutely, you can withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your care.
Why are some people put into the 'usual appointment scheduling' group?
That group helps the researchers compare the new patient-led method to current practices, so they can see if it makes a difference.
How to find out more
Robert Griffiths
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
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