Medical Phenotyping of NHS General Adult Psychiatry (GAP) Inpatients
This study aims to understand the overall health of adult mental health patients admitted to NHS wards in West Lothian. Researchers will look at conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, and personality disorders. They'll use questionnaires, rating scales, and patient notes to describe these patients' general mental and physical health. The goal is to compare these 'real-life' patients to those who typically take part in clinical trials. This will help us understand why some promising new treatments from trials don't always work as well for patients in hospitals. It also helps create a benchmark to test how well new treatments work in the future.
At a glance
What is this study about?
This research study is looking closely at adults who are admitted to NHS mental health wards in West Lothian, specifically at St John's Hospital in Livingston. The main idea is to get a really clear picture of the general mental and physical health of these patients. Often, people think that patients who need this kind of hospital care might have many health problems, are harder to treat, or their conditions are more severe than those who usually take part in research studies. This study aims to check if that's true by gathering detailed information directly from these patients and their medical notes.
By gathering this information, the researchers hope to understand who these 'real-life' patients are. They'll be looking at common mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, and personality disorders, as well as any other health issues. This detailed understanding is important because it can help explain why new treatments that look promising in research trials sometimes don't work as well when they are used for patients in everyday hospital settings.
Ultimately, the study aims to make treatments better for a wider range of patients. By comparing 'real-life' patients to those in past research, the study can help future research to include a broader group of people, making new treatments more effective for everyone. This information could also act as a starting point to measure how well new treatments and care approaches work in the future.
Key takeaways
- It's an observational study looking at adult mental health inpatients.
- Aims to understand 'real-life' patient characteristics.
- Will help design better clinical trials for new treatments.
- Involves questionnaires and a chat, about an hour in total.
- Open to patients 18-65 years old on specific NHS wards.
- Your participation could help improve future mental health care.
Who may be eligible?
This study is for adults aged between 18 and 65 years old. To be eligible, you must be admitted to an NHS General Adult Psychiatry ward at St John's Hospital in Livingston during the study period. These are typically wards for adults dealing with mental health conditions that couldn't be managed by their GP alone.
There are certain situations where you wouldn't be able to take part. For example, if you are admitted to a specialised ward such as those for forensic psychiatry (which deals with mental health issues related to the law), units for young people, perinatal units (for those around childbirth), old age psychiatry, or general medical wards (for physical illnesses), then this study would not be suitable for you.
- Are you between 18 and 65 years old?
- Are you currently an inpatient on a general adult mental health ward?
- Are you admitted to St John's Hospital, Livingston?
- Are you NOT in a specialist unit like young people's, forensic, or old age psychiatry?
This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.
What does participation involve?
If you are invited to take part and decide to do so, your involvement would include spending about an hour with a clinician. During this time, you would complete some questionnaires and have a conversation with them. The researchers would also look at your medical notes to gather information about your health. There are no new medications involved and no further follow-up visits beyond this initial assessment. The total duration of your participation would be this single hour-long session.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- St John's HospitalLivingston, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Common questions
What is the main goal of this study?
The main goal is to understand the overall health of adult mental health patients in NHS hospitals to help improve future treatments and research.
Who can take part in this study?
Adults between 18 and 65 years old who are currently admitted to a general adult mental health ward at St John's Hospital in Livingston can take part.
What does taking part involve?
If you agree, you'll spend about an hour completing questionnaires and talking with a clinician. Researchers will also review your medical notes.
Will I receive any new treatment?
No, this study does not involve any new treatments or medications. It's about gathering information.
Can I change my mind about participating?
Yes, you are completely free to withdraw from the study at any time, and it will not affect your care.
How to find out more
David Hayward
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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