High Intensity Use of Urgent and Emergency Care: A Mixed-Methods Study

NCT07630012 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: BU-HIU-2025-GWIRAS Number 356859
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 80
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

This study aims to understand the health and social care needs and experiences of adults who frequently use urgent and emergency care services in Dorset. Using a mixed-methods design, the study combines analysis of non-patient-identifiable business intelligence data with qualitative interviews and co-production activities. The business intelligence data contextualises patterns of high intensity service use and informs participant identification. Qualitative interviews will explore the personal, social and system-level factors that contribute to frequent attendance. Co-production activities with an advisory group, supported by The Lantern Trust in Weymouth, will use these findings to develop a preventative intervention model grounded in lived experience. The study will recruit up to 50 patients, up to 10 carers and up to 20 health and social care professionals. The findings will contribute to the development of more effective, person-centred approaches to supporting people who frequently use urgent and emergency care services and will inform national and local policy in this area.

Conditions

High Intensity Use of Urgent and Emergency Care; Emergency Medicine; Health Inequalities; Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD); Mental Health

Keywords

High intensity use; Frequent attenders; Urgent and emergency care; Mixed methods; Co-production; Qualitative research; Health and social care needs; Preventative intervention

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Health and social care needs and experiences of adults who frequently use urgent and emergency care services in Dorset

  Assessed through qualitative interviews and analysis of non-patient-identifiable UHD business intelligence data, including identification of personal, social and system-level factors contributing to high intensity use and co-produced recommendations for a preventative intervention model.

  24 months

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Patterns of high intensity use of urgent and emergency care within the UHD population

  24 months

• Co-produced recommendations for a preventative intervention model

  24 months

• Evidence to inform future service development for people who experience high intensity use of urgent and emergency care

  24 months

Study Arms (3)

Patients

Adults aged 18 or over who experience high intensity use of urgent and emergency care services at University Hospitals Dorset, defined as five or more unplanned contacts within a 12-month period.

Carers

Adults aged 18 or over who provide unpaid care or support to someone who experiences high intensity use of urgent and emergency care services.

Health and Social Care Professionals

Description: Health and social care professionals involved in urgent and emergency care pathways at University Hospitals Dorset, Dorset HealthCare, Dorset Council or voluntary sector partner organisations.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults who frequently use urgent and emergency care services at University Hospitals Dorset, their carers and health and social care professionals involved in urgent and emergency care pathways in Dorset.

You may qualify if:

• Adults aged 18 or over who have been identified as experiencing high intensity use of urgent and emergency care services at University Hospitals Dorset, defined as five or more unplanned contacts within a 12-month period Adults aged 18 or over who provide unpaid care or support to someone who experiences high intensity use of urgent and emergency care services Health and social care professionals aged 18 or over involved in urgent and emergency care pathways at University Hospitals Dorset, Dorset HealthCare, Dorset Council or voluntary sector partner organisations Able to provide informed consent Willing to take part in an audio-recorded interview-

You may not qualify if:

• Under 18 years of age Unable to provide informed consent Currently experiencing an acute mental health crisis requiring immediate clinical intervention Known history of violence or aggression towards health and social care professionals Currently receiving inpatient treatment at the time of recruitment No direct involvement in urgent and emergency care pathways at the participating organisations (professionals only)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bournemouth University: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Psychological Well-Being; Alcoholism

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Personal Satisfaction; Behavior; Alcohol-Related Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders; Chemically-Induced Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 1, 2026
• First Posted: June 5, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): September 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2029
• Last Updated: June 5, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05