| Title: |
Safety-netting communication during telephone consultations:an observational study using recorded consultations |
| Authors: |
Edwards, Peter Jonathan; Caddick, Barbara; Skeen, Adam; Lin, Jordan; Thornton, Helena; Ridd, Matthew J; Barnes, Rebecca; Salisbury, Chris |
| Source: |
Edwards, P J, Caddick, B, Skeen, A, Lin, J, Thornton, H, Ridd, M J, Barnes, R & Salisbury, C 2026, 'Safety-netting communication during telephone consultations : an observational study using recorded consultations', British Journal of General Practice. https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGP.2025.0637 |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
University of Bristol: Bristol Reserach |
| Description: |
Background In 2024, one-third of NHS GP consultations in England were by telephone. While remote consulting can be convenient for patients and GPs, it may increase diagnostic uncertainty. Safety-netting advice (guidance on when and how patients should seek further medical help) is a tool used to mitigate clinical risk, but its delivery during telephone consultations has not been studied in detail. Aim Evaluate the communication, documentation, and patient recall of safety-netting advice in GP telephone consultations. Design and setting Observational study of 96 recorded telephone consultations from seven practices in South West England during 2023-24. Method Consultations were coded using a validated Safety-netting Coding Tool. Regression models explored factors associated with safety-netting advice. Patient recall was assessed using post-consultation questionnaires. Results There were 93 instances of safety-netting advice, delivered in 60.4% (58/96) of consultations applying to 43.4% (72/166) of problems. Safety-netting advice was mostly GP-initiated (95.7%, 89/93), delivered during treatment planning (66.7%, 62/93), and included specific elements (64.5%, 60/93). Delivered safety-netting advice was documented in 64.2% (34/53) of consultations with notes available. Written advice was rarely used (4/96 consultations, all text messages). Patients correctly recalled the presence of safety-netting advice in two-thirds of consultations when it was given. Safety-netting advice was more likely to be provided by younger GPs ( |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/pmid/41730681; info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/hdl/https://hdl.handle.net/1983/6ebd2fa6-503b-44c2-8778-e8a1d00d9d3e |
| DOI: |
10.3399/BJGP.2025.0637 |
| Availability: |
https://hdl.handle.net/1983/6ebd2fa6-503b-44c2-8778-e8a1d00d9d3e; https://research-information.bris.ac.uk/en/publications/6ebd2fa6-503b-44c2-8778-e8a1d00d9d3e; https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGP.2025.0637 |
| Rights: |
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess ; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.FBBB5314 |
| Database: |
BASE |