Discover more

Findings from Ash’ initial review showed that patients with language barriers were often given priority, partly due to the communication challenges, so nurses tend to be more risk averse. Using regression modelling which factors in the top 20 symptoms callers present with, as well as other patient, and service level factors. One of her key findings is looking at high risk health concerns i.e., in which patients the nurse will upgrade the advice given by the non-clinician in the initial level of triage. She has identified that this occurs more in calls about chest pain & breathlessness therefore these calls may be considered high risk.

Ash hopes to look at a follow-on study which looks at focussing on the clinician / nurse experience and identifying the high- risk areas to ensure patients receive the best care. She is interested in continuing her research, and she would ideally like to focus on particularly high-risk patient groups. She also sees herself supervising other PhD students in the future.