A substantial proportion of out-of-hours (OOH) primary care consultations are now managed solely by telephone. However, when pharmacies close, access to medication becomes limited. Delayed access to medication can increase mortality, morbidity, and increased costs later in the patient's journey.
The aim of this study is to assess the consensus of prescribers in UK GP OOH services on which medications should be available when pharmacies are closed, and access is limited, using Delphi methodology.
Who can participate
Experts that are UK-based prescribers in the OOH setting, who regularly consult patients via telephone consult, with at least one year experience working in that setting.
What is involved for participants
Experts will generate free-text recommendations on which medications they want patients to have access to after an OOH phone consultation. Through iterative survey rounds, these recommendations will be narrowed down by consensus to the 20 most important medications in this setting. Round 1 - free text. Round 2 & 3 - rating responses.
How to participate or express an interest
👉Here is the link to the survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=VUxHxiOpKk2b1OzjcUjbskR_K-jq-1dLnA9kQ_NVlcpUODJKOVlNSjRSWEdKVUMwWkhHQTIzVENaVi4u
Or by email: s.hofmann@bangor.ac.uk
Benefits for participants?
The medication list recommendation can improve patient satisfaction and outcomes in OOH and may be the indirect participant benefit.
Deadline for responses
31st December 2026
Contact for further information
By email: s.hofmann@bangor.ac.uk
