SDO: Research summaries - Access to health care

Access to health care

	June 2009 - Shaping our future: a scoping and consultation exercise to establish research priorities in learning disabilities for the next ten years A research summary which reports on a scoping review and consultation. Regional workshops for people with learning disabilities, families and professionals were held to identify the most important areas for progress. Click to download the research summary and the full study.
	August 2008 -Attitudes towards and satisfaction with services among deliberate self-harm patients: systematic review of the literature A research summary which outlines the main findings of a review of 31 studies from eight countries analysing attitudes towards and satisfaction with services among DSH patients. (Hawton et al.,2007). Click to download the research summary and the full study.
	August 2008-Evaluating models - Multi-centre evaluation of the role of chest pain units in the NHS A research summary evaluating whether CPU care is acceptable to patients and is more cost-effective than routine care (Goodacre et al., 2007). Click to download the research summary and the full study.
	May 2008- An evaluation of approaches to improving access to general practitioner appointments A Research Summary presenting the findings of the largest ever study of GP appointments and in particular, into Advanced Access as introduced in the UK. It compared general practices that did or did not introduce Advanced Access as a method of improving access to appointments. Click to download the research summary and the full study.
	February 2008 - Organisational factors that influence waiting times in emergency departments A research summary presenting the organisational characteristics shared by emergency departments by identifying three factors that are strongly associated with shorter waiting times. (Mason et al, 2006). Click to download the research summary and the full study.
	August 2007 - Improving care for patients with angina - how to help clinicians make the right decisions A research summary of a study that piloted a new ratings system to assesses the most appropriate testing options for individual patients with angina. The new system may help doctors order more appropriate tests and subsequently improve patients' health outcomes (Hemingway et al, 2006). Click to download the research summary and the full study .
	June 2007 - The relative importance attached to cost-effectiveness, equity and access in the provision of health services A research summary of a study that looked at NHS decision-makers' understanding of the terms ‘cost-effectiveness', ‘equity' and ‘access', and how they are prioritised and applied in the health services (Dolan et al, 2005). Click to download the research summary and the full study.
	February 2007 - Can choice for all improve health for all? A review of the evidence A research summary that outlines the main findings of a review to assess the extent and nature of the evidence available on patient choice and its impact on equity, efficiency and quality within the NHS (Fotaki et al, 2005) Click to download the research summary and the full study. Please note: this summary is available online only.