Background
We have a substantial dataset on the healthcare resources used by POPPY participants which is currently being analysed. This unique dataset will allow us to investigate the types of healthcare resources that are used by individuals with various clinical conditions and to assess whether HIV infection has an impact on healthcare resource use.
Study aims
We will describe the frequency with which study participants access healthcare from general practitioners (GPs), nurses, healthcare specialists, psychiatrists/psychologists, and other healthcare providers, and will also assess how frequently participants attend A&E, make use of the ambulance service, and undergo hospital procedures and/or investigations. We will compare the use of healthcare resources across the three POPPY groups, and will also investigate whether there are associations between the level of resource use and the socio-demographic/clinical characteristics of POPPY participants.
Work to date
After examining the healthcare utilization data, we have categorised the types of healthcare that is obtained and, where appropriate, the reasons why the healthcare was required. This has allowed us to convert the very large amount of text information into a coded dataset that can be analysed.
Study group
Manolis Bagkeris (UCL), Caroline Sabin (UCL), Alan Winston (Imperial). Contact: Manolis Bagkeris (e.bagkeris@ucl.ac.uk)