The Use and Usability of the OATH (Optimising Access Through Human fit) Resource Set’

PI Title:  Dr Jennifer Voorhees

Lead member: Manchester

"What are we going to do?
This research aims to improve access to general practice, and improve the experience of access for patients and staff.
Previously, our research team worked with patients, carers, healthcare staff, and the voluntary sector to understand the issues faced when trying to access and provide care. We created the OATH (Optimising Access Through Human fit) Resource Set to help practice staff and patients work together to understand each other’s views and fix access problems.

We now want to understand whether the OATH Resource Set is useful, how it can be improved, and how policymakers can support its use.

Why are we doing it?
Accessing general practice has changed over recent years, and some patients are feeling confused and left out, while some staff are feeling overwhelmed and unappreciated. General practice is an important part of the NHS, and access to general practice affects us all.

When are we doing it?
The project will last from April 2024 to March 2025.

With whom are we doing it?
Our team includes researchers from The University of Manchester and University of Kent. It also includes patients, carers, healthcare staff, and members of the voluntary sector. Some of us have been working together for 8 years; others have joined more recently and brought fresh views. All members of the team contribute to the design of the study, gathering and understanding data, and sharing what we have learned.

How are we doing it?
We have made the OATH Resource Set freely available at www.oath-access.com for practices to use with their staff and patients. We have also made links with voluntary sector organisations, and existing programmes that aim to improve general practice, who would like to use it in their ongoing work.

We will interview patients and staff from practices, and members of the voluntary sector and practice improvement programmes, about the OATH Resource Set. We will ask them about their experiences trying to use it, including what worked, what did not, and what else is needed. We will observe meetings where the OATH Resource Set is being used. We will use what we learn to make improvements to the OATH Resource Set.

Who benefits?
Patients, staff, and the NHS itself should benefit from improving access to general practice through the use and improvement of the OATH Resource Set. We will share learning with local and national patient groups, healthcare staff, and voluntary sector organisations. We will present at academic conferences, and write papers and reports. We will talk to policymakers, so policies about access can better address problems faced by patients and staff. This includes providing time for practices work with patients to use the resources"

Award amount: £60,260