FACT SHEET study: Improving communication with patients suffering acute chest pain

The Chest Pain Unit (CPU) has been developed to provide rapid and accurate diagnostic assessment for patients with acute chest pain. A single centre evaluation of CPU care, which ultimately led to the ESCAPE Study, revealed high levels of satisfaction, but also revealed shortcomings, particularly relating to provision of information.

This study has been funded by the Health Foundation under their 'Leading Practice through Research' Award Scheme. The aim is to evaluate whether or not provision of a written fact sheet can improve communication with patients who have just received diagnostic assessment for acute chest pain, leading to reduced symptoms and improved satisfaction with care.

The pilot phase of the project ran from November 2005 until April 2006. Recruitment ran from June 2006 until October 2007 and the study is now in the analysis phase.

Those involved in the study are:

• Jane Arnold, Chest Pain Assessment Sister, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation (Northern General Hospital)(Award Holder)
• Steve Goodacre, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Health Services Research, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield (Mentor)
• Peter Bath, Senior Lecturer in Health Informatics, Department of Information Studies, University of Sheffield (Mentor)
• Sue Read, Honorary Fellow, University of Sheffield (Expert Adviser)

For further information, please use the links on the right hand side of the page, or contact Jane Arnold by phone (0114 2220882)or email:

email : Jane Arnold