Patient-led appointment scheduling in NHS Talking Therapies (PLANS)
Participant type
Overview
PLANS is a research study that explores how appointments are arranged in NHS Talking Therapies services. There is evidence that the way that NHS Talking Therapies services are currently delivered makes it difficult for some people to access them. Research also suggests that patients want more control over how appointments are made.
We would like to conduct a study that compares patient-led appointment scheduling to the usual methods of arranging appointments that are used by NHS Talking Therapies. This study is no longer looking for new participants but is still ongoing.
Summary
What is the study about?
Depression and anxiety are common mental health problems that can reduce people’s quality of life. NHS Talking Therapies services support people who have depression and anxiety.
There is evidence that the way that NHS Talking Therapies services are currently delivered makes it difficult for some people to access them. These include people from ethnic minority groups, disabled people, and older people. Research also suggests that patients want more control over how appointments are made.
Patient-led appointment scheduling is a way of arranging appointments that aims to give people more control over how they access talking therapies. This approach enables people to choose when they attend appointments and how many appointments they attend.
Patient-Led Appointment Scheduling in NHS Talking Therapies animation video on YouTube
What are you trying to find out?
This study is no longer looking for new participants but is still ongoing.
We would like to conduct a study that compares patient-led appointment scheduling to the usual methods of arranging appointments that are used by NHS Talking Therapies. Before we carry out this larger study, however, we want to make sure it is possible to conduct a study of this kind.
In this study, we want to:
- Make sure it is possible to get enough people to take part in the study and to follow their progress
- See if we can collect information from people about their mental health problems and their use of NHS services
- Find out how many people we would need for a larger study and hear from patients about whether they find this approach helpful
We will use the results from this study to decide if we should run a larger study and how this should be conducted.
Who is it for?
This study is no longer looking for new participants but is still ongoing.
What does taking part involve?
This study is no longer looking for new participants but is still ongoing.
- Providing consent
- Completing questionnaires
- Focus Groups and Interviews
Why is it important?
Many people report that taking part in research of this kind is a helpful experience. Others say that it is rewarding to take part in research that helps to improve mental health services for other people. You might find it helpful to talk about your difficulties or your experiences of working with NHS Talking Therapies.
How can I find out more?
This study is no longer looking for new participants but is still ongoing.
If you have questions for the research team, click the button below to email us:
Meet the researcher
Rob GriffithsClinical Research Fellow in Mental Health Nursing
I'm Rob and I'm the the Director of the Mental Health Nursing Research Unit at GMMH and a Lecturer in Mental Health at the University of Manchester. My background is mainly focussed on the delivery of psychological methods. My current research interests are improving outcomes for people experiencing first-episode psychosis and evaluating a new type of talking therapy called Methods of Levels.
Collaborators
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