Clinical trial NCT05725954: GUT LINK: A Study of a Care Pathway Across Primary and GI Specialty Care
Official title: GUT LINK: A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Comparative Effectiveness of an Evidence-based Care Pathway Across Primary and GI Specialty Care
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
GI Disorders
Keywords: Care pathway
Care delivery
virtual
Lead sponsor: Nova Scotia Health Authority
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: Nova Scotia Health Authority
First posted: 2023-02-13
Enrollment: 120
Sex: ALL
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Brief summary: It can be challenging for Primary Healthcare Providers (PHCPs) to differentiate between IBS and more serious illnesses involving the GI tract, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or cancer. To help with diagnosis and treatment of IBS, evidence-based guidelines have been developed. However, they are not commonly used in primary care practice and PHCPs and patients often feel that GI specialist evaluation and endoscopy is required. The development of care pathways and clinical practice guidelines is essential to support the investigation and management of digestive diseases, such as IBS.

The current pilot study is designed to assess the implementation and early comparative effectiveness of a Clinical Care Pathway for lower GI tract symptoms.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Must be a general practitioner
* Have a family practice in Nova Scotia, Canada
* Utilize the platform 'virtual hallway' as part of current referral practices
* Deliver care to patients with lower GI complaints

Exclusion Criteria:

* None

Primary outcomes:
measure: Number of users
timeFrame: month 3
measure: Number of users
timeFrame: month 6
measure: Number of referrals
timeFrame: month 3
measure: Number of referrals
timeFrame: month 6
measure: Number of referrals per week
timeFrame: month 3
measure: Number of referrals per week
timeFrame: month 6
measure: Number of referrals per user
timeFrame: month 3
measure: Number of referrals per user
timeFrame: month 6
measure: Number of clicks per referral
timeFrame: month 3
measure: Number of clicks per referral
timeFrame: month 6
measure: Primary Healthcare Provider Satisfaction
timeFrame: baseline (month 0)
measure: Primary Healthcare Provider Satisfaction
timeFrame: month 6
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Number referrals received as per prototype
timeFrame: month 3
measure: Number referrals received as per prototype
timeFrame: month 6
measure: Number of referrals received requiring troubleshooting
timeFrame: month 3
measure: Number of referrals received requiring troubleshooting
timeFrame: month 6
measure: Number of referrals aborted
timeFrame: month 3
measure: Number of referrals aborted
timeFrame: month 6
measure: Type of consult
timeFrame: month 3
measure: Type of consult
timeFrame: month 6
measure: Perceived appropriateness of the SmartPath
timeFrame: month 3
measure: Perceived appropriateness of the SmartPath
timeFrame: month 6
measure: physician self-efficacy rating
timeFrame: month 3
measure: physician self-efficacy rating
timeFrame: month 6
measure: Referral triage priority category
timeFrame: month 3
measure: Referral triage priority category
timeFrame: month 6
measure: Time from referral to specialist consultation
timeFrame: month 3
measure: Time from referral to specialist consultation
timeFrame: month 6
measure: Time from referral to diagnosis and treatment
timeFrame: month 3
measure: Time from referral to diagnosis and treatment
timeFrame: month 6
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Halifax
country: Canada
facility: QEII Health Sciences Centre
state: Nova Scotia
Study officials:
References: