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We’re proud to congratulate our Interdisciplinary Research in Health Sciences (IRIHS) group for winning the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Health Services Research Paper of the Year award. The team was honoured for their innovative study titled Patient safety in remote primary care encounters: multimethod qualitative study combining Safety I and Safety II analysis, published in BMJ Quality and Safety.

Dr Rebecca Payne with the RCGP Health Services Research Paper of the Year award and colleagues from NHS Resolution

The award was presented at the RCGP Annual Conference where Dr Rebecca Payne, the lead author, was present to receive the honour on behalf of the team. This study, led by Dr Payne and corresponding author Professor Trish Greenhalgh, along with several co-authors from the IRHIS group, offers crucial insights into patient safety in the context of remote primary care consultations. 

The research, which explores the risks associated with remote GP consultations, has provided vital insights into the safety of remote care, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. While most remote consultations are safe, the study found that certain conditions, such as chest or abdominal pain, palliative care needs, or physical injuries, carry increased risks when managed remotely. 

Key recommendations from the study include improving communication between clinicians and patients, ensuring patients understand next steps in their care, and recognising when face-to-face consultations may be more appropriate. The research also highlights the importance of ensuring general practice staff are equipped to escalate care when necessary, and that patients feel empowered to request in-person appointments if needed. 

Speaking of the award, Dr Payne said: "We are thrilled to receive this recognition from the RCGP. Our study addresses critical questions about safety in remote primary care, which has become increasingly important in today's healthcare landscape. This award underscores the significance of our findings and their potential impact on improving patient care." 

This well-deserved recognition highlights our department’s commitment to improving patient safety and care through rigorous research. Congratulations again to the entire IRIHS team for this remarkable achievement!