Mrs Scarlett McNally
Participant information
Background
You are being invited to take part in a research study. Before you decide whether or not to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what it will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully.
This study is about the new NHS role of ‘Doctors’ Assistant’ that we are trialling at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT). In the UK, junior doctors (especially Foundation doctors and core trainees) spend 40-70% of their time on admin tasks[1]. Junior doctors’ hours of work have reduced, but the paperwork has increased[2] reducing their time for training opportunities and their morale can be low[3]. New NHS staff roles are needed[4] (NAO, 2016). Other Trusts and organisations are developing autonomous senior clinical roles for experienced staff (eg Nurses or Physiotherapists) or after lengthy training (eg Physician Associates). What we plan to trial at ESHT is a new role of ‘Doctors’ Assistant’, with minimal previous qualifications doing admin duties and simple clinical tasks.
Our project involves recruitment, setting up a short induction and training program, followed by monitoring systems as this is a new role.
A few other NHS hospitals have had success with similar simple roles. None of these other sites have started with collecting data at the beginning. This means they cannot prove to others how this project works.
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How we hope to analyse the effects of this new role:
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We would like to analyse what tasks can or should be delegated to Doctors Assistants do, how best to train them and how other staff relate to this role.
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We will analyse junior doctors’ workload before and after Doctors’ Assistants are employed. We will also analyse their wellbeing or happiness.
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We will ask other staff how they feel and what improvements they can suggest.
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We will time various activities, to confirm how much time standard tasks take to perform.
We plan to create a dossier of information so other NHS sites can try this if it works.
[1] Royal College of Surgeons (2016) The extended surgical team. http://www.rcseng.ac.uk/government-relations-and-consultation/documents/a-question-of-balance-the-extended-surgical-team
[2] Royal College of Surgeons (2008) EWTD Meeting the challenge in surgery. https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/surgeons/surgical-standards/working-practices/docs/WTD%202009%20Meeting%20the%20challenge%20in%20surgery.pdf
[3] GMC (2014) National training survey report 2014: Bullying and undermining. http://www.gmc-uk.org/NTS_bullying_and_undermining_report_2014_FINAL.pdf_58648010.pdf
[4] NAO, National Audit Office (2016) Recommendations on workforce planning Feb 2016 https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Managing-the-supply-of-NHS-clinical-staff-in-England.pdf
Do I have to take part?
Taking part in the research is entirely voluntary. It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do decide to take part, you will be given this information sheet to keep and be asked to sign a consent form. If you decide to take part, you are still free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason.
Choosing to either take part or not take part in the study will have no impact on any marks, assessments or future studies.
What will happen to me if I take part?
Some participants will be asked to complete diary cards of activities. Some will complete a score of wellbeing. Other staff will be interviewed about how they feel the new role is working out and whether any changes could be recommended to other units considering this. We will also be timing a number of activities (eg dementia screenings) and analysing documents for accuracy.
What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
You may have to complete questionnaires in your own time. You may attend group discussions in your own time. You may be worried about showing your happiness score.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
You may gain no direct benefits. You may feel proud that you are contributing to the development of a new type of workforce for the NHS, that may work for a larger number of hospitals if we can demonstrate what works well or what could work better.
Will what I say in this study be kept confidential?
All information collected about any individual will be kept strictly confidential (subject to legal limitations). Confidentiality, privacy and anonymity will be ensured in the collection, storage and publication of research material. Data generated in the course of the research will be kept securely in paper or electronic form for a period of seven years after the completion of a research project.
What will happen to the results of the research study?
The results will be published in a report. We plan to publish results of this project and present any findings at conferences.
Who will have the copyright for any data created?
The copyright for any data created (including quotes in interviews) will be transferred to the Chief Investigator and East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust as sponsor for this study.
Who is organising and funding the research?
The research is being organised by Mrs Scarlett McNally in East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust. There has been funding from Health Education England to support the recruitment and salaries of the new staff, but not for the research element. There is no external funding for this research.
Who has reviewed the study?
The study will be submitted to the IRAS Research Application Service for ethical approval.
Contact for further Information
Mrs Scarlett McNally: work 01323 41700 extn 5809 or scarlett.mcnally@nhs.net