Multiple Symptoms Study 3 is a large randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of a Symptoms Clinic for people with persistent “medically unexplained” physical symptoms. Persistent physical symptoms affect around 1 million people (2% of adults) in the UK. They affect patients’ quality of life and account for at least one third of referrals from GPs to specialists. The Symptoms Clinic is an extended-role GP intervention which has gone through several stages of development and piloting. The intervention is designed to improve patients' symptoms and reduce their healthcare use, particularly referral for specialist opinion and tests.
The project is led by Chris Burton, Professor of Primary Medical Care at the University of Sheffield. The Clinical Trials Research Unit will manage the study, in collaboration with Sheffield CCG and the Universities of Aberdeen, Goldsmiths London, Manchester, Newcastle and Northumbria.
The project begins on 1st February 2018. For more information, please contact the Trial Manager, Cara Mooney (c.d.mooney@sheffield.ac.uk).