HS&DR research on group clinics

Anna Cantrell

Research completed by the Evidence Synthesis Centre, commissioned by the NIHR Health Services & Delivery Research programme "What is the evidence for the effectiveness, appropriateness and feasibility of group clinics for patients with chronic conditions? A systematic review" was published in the NIHR Journals Library in December 2015. Louise Preston and Anna Cantrell were key researcher and information specialists on this project, working alongside Andrew Booth, Duncan Chambers and Professor Elizabeth Goyder. 

The research reviewed the evidence for groups clinics for patients with chronic conditions considering their effectiveness, appropriateness and feasibility. The review concluded that there was consistent and promising evidence for an effect of group clinics for some biomedical measures, but that the effect was not across all outcomes. The majority of the primary study had been conducted in the USA and it would be very important to engage with UK stakeholders about specific considerations for implementing group clinics within the NHS. As an outcome of this review a HS&DR funding call was issued and primary research on this topic has now been commissioned.

Following our recent returns from maternity leave Louise and I have returned to our roles as researchers and information specialists for the centre with meetings for these projects now replacing our attendance together at baby yoga. 

Photo by Carolina Egana