High Intensity Use of Urgent and Emergency Care: A Mixed-Methods Study

June 1, 2026 updated by: Bournemouth University

High Intensity Use of Urgent and Emergency Care: a Mixed-methods Study Exploring Needs, Experiences and Priorities to Co-produce a Preventative Intervention Model

This study aims to understand the health and social care needs and experiences of adults who frequently use urgent and emergency care services in Dorset. Using a mixed-methods design, the study combines analysis of non-patient-identifiable business intelligence data with qualitative interviews and co-production activities. The business intelligence data contextualises patterns of high intensity service use and informs participant identification. Qualitative interviews will explore the personal, social and system-level factors that contribute to frequent attendance. Co-production activities with an advisory group, supported by The Lantern Trust in Weymouth, will use these findings to develop a preventative intervention model grounded in lived experience. The study will recruit up to 50 patients, up to 10 carers and up to 20 health and social care professionals. The findings will contribute to the development of more effective, person-centred approaches to supporting people who frequently use urgent and emergency care services and will inform national and local policy in this area.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

80

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Adults who frequently use urgent and emergency care services at University Hospitals Dorset, their carers and health and social care professionals involved in urgent and emergency care pathways in Dorset.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Adults aged 18 or over who have been identified as experiencing high intensity use of urgent and emergency care services at University Hospitals Dorset, defined as five or more unplanned contacts within a 12-month period Adults aged 18 or over who provide unpaid care or support to someone who experiences high intensity use of urgent and emergency care services Health and social care professionals aged 18 or over involved in urgent and emergency care pathways at University Hospitals Dorset, Dorset HealthCare, Dorset Council or voluntary sector partner organisations Able to provide informed consent Willing to take part in an audio-recorded interview-

Exclusion Criteria:

Under 18 years of age Unable to provide informed consent Currently experiencing an acute mental health crisis requiring immediate clinical intervention Known history of violence or aggression towards health and social care professionals Currently receiving inpatient treatment at the time of recruitment No direct involvement in urgent and emergency care pathways at the participating organisations (professionals only)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Patients
Adults aged 18 or over who experience high intensity use of urgent and emergency care services at University Hospitals Dorset, defined as five or more unplanned contacts within a 12-month period.
Carers
Adults aged 18 or over who provide unpaid care or support to someone who experiences high intensity use of urgent and emergency care services.
Health and Social Care Professionals
Description: Health and social care professionals involved in urgent and emergency care pathways at University Hospitals Dorset, Dorset HealthCare, Dorset Council or voluntary sector partner organisations.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Health and social care needs and experiences of adults who frequently use urgent and emergency care services in Dorset
Time Frame: 24 months
Assessed through qualitative interviews and analysis of non-patient-identifiable UHD business intelligence data, including identification of personal, social and system-level factors contributing to high intensity use and co-produced recommendations for a preventative intervention model.
24 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Patterns of high intensity use of urgent and emergency care within the UHD population
Time Frame: 24 months
Descriptive analysis of non-patient-identifiable UHD business intelligence data including frequency of attendance, directorate and specialty contact and temporal patterns of service use.
24 months
Co-produced recommendations for a preventative intervention model
Time Frame: 24 months
Recommendations developed through co-production workshops with the Advisory Group, supported by The Lantern Trust, drawing on qualitative findings and participant priorities.
24 months
Evidence to inform future service development for people who experience high intensity use of urgent and emergency care
Time Frame: 24 months
Synthesis of qualitative and business intelligence data findings to identify opportunities for earlier, more coordinated and person-centred support for people who frequently use urgent and emergency care services.
24 months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Bournemouth University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

September 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

September 1, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

April 1, 2029

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 1, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 1, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

June 5, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

June 5, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 1, 2026

Last Verified

May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • BU-HIU-2025-GW
  • IRAS Number 356859 (Other Identifier: Integrated Research Application System (IRAS))

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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