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ou are being invited to take part in a research study that is looking at whether General Dental Practitioners (GDPs) and specialist orthodontic practitioners are aware of the outcomes and necessary action required following the referral of one of your patients to either, Liverpool University Dental Hospital or Halton General Hospital.
Before you decide whether to take part in the study or not, 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 and discuss it with others if you wish. Ask us if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information. Please take your time in deciding whether or not you wish to take part in the study.
What is the purpose of this study?
A referral based service between GDPs and specialist practitioners in primary care and hospital based specialties has been well established. Good communication between these parties is pivotal in ensuring continuing education of dental practitioners while ensuring optimal patient management. The study will be comparing structured reply letters with the existing letters. The structured reply letters are potentially a way of improving these communication channels.
The aim of this study is to identify whether a structured consultant reply letter is a more effective method of communication with GDPs and specialist practitioners when compared to a consultant‟s standard letter. The study will also aim to identify any difference in the administration time required for the two letter formats.
If the new letter format is found to be more effective, then it may become adopted practice within the Mersey region
Why have you been chosen?
Your practice is based within the Mersey deanery and you refer patients to the orthodontic departments at Liverpool University Dental Hospital or Halton General Hospital
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Do you have to take part in this study?
It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part in this study. If you do decide to take part, you will be given this information sheet to keep and 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. If you decide to withdraw at any time or do not wish to take part, this will not affect your established professional relationship.
What will happen to you if you take part?
If you take part in this study, you will be allocated into one of two study groups. Neither you, nor the consultants to whom you refer; will be able to choose into which group you go. This allocation will be randomised.
● Group 1 – After referring a patient you will receive a standard consultant reply letter from
the consultant. After 6 weeks you will receive a structured reply letter. In addition to both letters you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire based on each letter format.
● Group 2 – After referring a patient you will receive a structured consultant reply letter
from the consultant. After 6 weeks you will receive a standard reply letter. In addition to both letters you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire based on each letter format.
We want to find out how effective the letters are at communicating information to our referring practitioners and how satisfied you are with each format. This will be done via a short questionnaire. We will then try and find out which format is more effective and identify how satisfied you are with each letter.
What are the risks and disadvantages of taking part?
There do not appear to be any risks or disadvantages if you take part in this study. The main difference between taking part or not, is that you will need to spend a few minutes completing the questionnaires.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
Your thoughts and comments can assist in improving the communication channels between both parties.
Will your taking part in the study be kept confidential?
The health professionals involved in this study will need access to your name, and practice address. However, all information which is collected during the course of the research will be kept strictly confidential. Any information about you which leaves the hospital will have your name and address removed so that you cannot be recognised by it.
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What will happen to the results of the study?
The results of this study will form part of a research thesis. It is also hope they will be published in an international dental journal. The results may also be presented at professional dental meetings. As mentioned above, your confidentiality is important and you will not be identified by name in any publication or presentation.
Has the study been approved?
Yes. A Local Research and Ethics Committee have approved this study.
Contact for further information
If you have any further questions or want to discuss the study, please contact Mr James Davies on 0151 706 5068 (an answering machine service is available) or write to him at:
Orthodontic Department
Liverpool University Dental Hospital Pembroke Place
Liverpool L3 5PS
Thank you very much for taking time to read this leaflet and we hope you will consider taking part in this study.
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