Specialist medication monitoring and prescribing in primary care: case study of shared care agreements in Northern England, UK.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Shared care agreements (SCAs) in the UK enable general practitioners (GPs) in primary care to take over the monitoring and prescribing of specialist medications for patients under agreed protocols. While SCAs are intended to improve access and continuity of care, concerns regarding their implementation and adherence to safety protocols persist. This study aims to explore the mechanisms, challenges and risks associated with SCAs, focusing on their impact on patient safety and primary care capacity.

Methods

A case-study approach was employed to investigate the implementation of SCAs, incorporating mixed methods to provide a comprehensive understanding. Data triangulation included document analysis of policies, cross-sectional review of medication monitoring and pr

SUBMITTER: Cooper M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12636899 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature