Protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial to evaluate integrated support from pharmacist independent prescriber and third sector worker for people experiencing homelessness: the PHOENIx Community Pharmacy study

Paudyal, V. et al. (2023) Protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial to evaluate integrated support from pharmacist independent prescriber and third sector worker for people experiencing homelessness: the PHOENIx Community Pharmacy study. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 9, 29. (doi: 10.1186/s40814-023-01261-x) (PMID:36814302) (PMCID:PMC9946705)

Abstract

Background: People experiencing homelessness (PEH) have complex health and social care needs and most die in their early 40 s. PEH frequently use community pharmacies; however, evaluation of the delivery of structured, integrated, holistic health and social care intervention has not been previously undertaken in community pharmacies for PEH. PHOENIx (Pharmacy Homeless Outreach Engagement Non-medical Independent prescribing Rx) has been delivered and tested in Glasgow, Scotland, by NHS pharmacist independent prescribers and third sector homelessness support workers offering health and social care intervention in low threshold homeless drop-in venues, emergency accommodation and emergency departments, to PEH. Building on this work, this study aims to test recruitment, retention, intervention adherence and fidelity of community pharmacy-based PHOENIx intervention. Methods: Randomised, multi-centre, open, parallel-group external pilot trial. A total of 100 PEH aged 18 years and over will be recruited from community pharmacies in Glasgow and Birmingham. PHOENIx intervention includes structured assessment in the community pharmacy of health, housing, benefits and activities, in addition to usual care, through weekly visits lasting up to six months. A primary outcome is whether to proceed to a definitive trial based on pre-specified progression criteria. Secondary outcomes include drug/alcohol treatment uptake and treatment retention; overdose rates; mortality and time to death; prison/criminal justice encounters; healthcare utilisation; housing tenure; patient-reported measures and intervention acceptability. Analysis will include descriptive statistics of recruitment and retention rates. Process evaluation will be conducted using Normalisation Process Theory. Health, social care and personal resource use data will be identified, measured and valued. Discussion: If the findings of this pilot study suggest progression to a definitive trial, and if the definitive trial offers positive outcomes, it is intended that PHOENIx will be a publicly funded free-to-access service in community pharmacy for PEH. The study results will be shared with wider stakeholders and patients in addition to dissemination through medical journals and scientific conferences. Trial registration: International Clinical Trial Registration ISRCTN88146807. Approved protocol version 2.0 dated July 19, 2022.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: This study was funded by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Services and Delivery Research scheme under commissioned call stream ‘20/56 Community Pharmacies’. [Grant award ID: NIHR133060] KJ is part-funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration-West Midlands.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Mair, Professor Frances and Lowrie, Dr Richard and McPherson, Dr Andrew and Williamson, Professor Andrea
• Authors: Paudyal, V., Lowrie, R., Mair, F. S., Middleton, L., Cheed, V., Hislop, J., Williamson, A., Barnes, N., Jolly, C., Saunders, K., Allen, N., Jagpal, P., Provan, G., Ross, S., Hunter, C., Tearne, S., McPherson, A., Heath, H., Lombard, C., Araf, A., Dixon, E., Hatch, A., Moir, J., and Akhtar, S.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Pilot and Feasibility Studies
• Publisher: BioMed Central
• ISSN: 2055-5784
• ISSN (Online): 2055-5784
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Pilot and Feasibility Studies 9: 29
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License