BJGP Open (May 2021)

Evaluation of a primary care-based collaborative care model (PARTNERS2) for people with diagnoses of schizophrenia, bipolar, or other psychoses: study protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial

  • Humera Plappert,
  • Charley Hobson-Merrett,
  • Bliss Gibbons,
  • Elina Baker,
  • Sheridan Bevan,
  • Michael Clark,
  • Siobhan Creanor,
  • Linda Davies,
  • Rebecca Denyer,
  • Julia Frost,
  • Linda Gask,
  • John Gibson,
  • Laura Gill,
  • Ruth Gwernan-Jones,
  • Pollyanna Hardy,
  • Joanne Hosking,
  • Peter Huxley,
  • Alison Jeffrey,
  • Benjamin Jones,
  • Steven Marwaha,
  • Vanessa Pinold,
  • Claire Planner,
  • Tim Rawcliffe,
  • Siobhan Reilly,
  • Debra Richards,
  • Lynsey Williams,
  • Max Birchwood,
  • Richard Byng

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGPO.2021.0033
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5, no. 3

Abstract

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Background: Current NHS policy encourages an integrated approach to provision of mental and physical care for individuals with long term mental health problems. The ‘PARTNERS2’ complex intervention is designed to support individuals with psychosis in a primary care setting. Aim: The trial will evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the PARTNERS2 intervention. Design & setting: This is a cluster randomised controlled superiority trial comparing collaborative care (PARTNERS2) with usual care, with an internal pilot to assess feasibility. The setting will be primary care within four trial recruitment areas: Birmingham & Solihull, Cornwall, Plymouth, and Somerset. GP practices are randomised 1:1 to either (a) the PARTNERS2 intervention plus modified standard care (‘intervention’); or (b) standard care only (‘control’). Method: PARTNERS2 is a flexible, general practice-based, person-centred, coaching-based intervention aimed at addressing mental health, physical health, and social care needs. Two hundred eligible individuals from 39 GP practices are taking part. They were recruited through identification from secondary and primary care databases. The primary hypothesis is quality of life (QOL). Secondary outcomes include: mental wellbeing, time use, recovery, and process of physical care. A process evaluation will assess fidelity of intervention delivery, test hypothesised mechanisms of action, and look for unintended consequences. An economic evaluation will estimate its cost-effectiveness. Intervention delivery and follow-up have been modified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The overarching aim is to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the model for adults with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar, or other types of psychoses.

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