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Feature
Additional roles reimbursement
This study investigated the implementation of the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) in terms of its successes and barriers. Additional roles in primary care under ARRS are increasing the range of patient care; however, their positive impact on the reduction of workload pressures as a result of workforce shortages has yet to be revealed. It is important to provide more funding flexibility for additional roles in primary care to enable recruitment of the appropriate staff in areas of deprivation and prevent further widening of health inequalities.
Highlights
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Recent Features
Severe and multiple disadvantage
This research describes co-designed strategies for providing accessible primary care to patients who experience combinations of homelessness, substance misuse, violence, abuse, and poor mental health. Researchers collaborated with inner city general practices and people with lived experience to improve accessibility for patients most in need. An inclusion patient list with more flexible access, continuity from a care coordinator and micro-team, and an information sharing tool, may improve patients' health and reduce demand on emergency services and unplanned care.
Addressing child weight with parents
Opportunities to support healthcare professionals in addressing child weight with parents were identified by GPs, primary care nurses, and school nurses. They recommended structural changes within primary and community care, joined-up systems and data sharing across agencies, and development of healthcare professionals' knowledge and skills, specifically via core training and continuing professional development. Changes within healthcare services would help healthcare professionals to assist parents of children who struggle with their weight.
Online consultation insights
In the largest study in the world of patient experiences of online consultations, influences on patients' experiences of online consultation systems are multifactorial, and are based on characteristics of the patient, the conditions they consult about, system design, and how it is used by GP staff. Key drivers of positive patient experiences were how individual GP practices conduct online consultations (e.g. clear advertising of their availability) and aspects of online consultation design (e.g. systems that allow patients to write in their own words).