A new evaluation from the Health Protection Research Unit in Behavioural Science and Evaluation (NIHR HPRU BSE) titled “A qualitative service evaluation of a multimodal pilot service for early detection of liver disease in high-risk groups: Alright My Liver?” has been published by BMJ Open Gastroenterology.
The evaluation reports on the results of semi-structured interviews with care providers and clients involved in the novel Alright My Liver? pilot service, which is commissioned by NHS England and is being delivered by Bristol and Severn Hepatitis C Operational Delivery Network. The pathway aims to diagnose liver disease earlier in the people most at risk. The team offer point of care testing for liver disease to people who use alcohol, are obese or have type 2 diabetes or have risk factors for blood-borne viruses.
The outreach events are usually co-located with services including drug and alcohol support, hostels, GP practices and more. People identified as having possible liver disease are then offered telephone reminders and taxis to appointments to help them to attend.
Key findings from the evaluation include the identification of key motivations reported by service users driving them to attend the outreach events such as interest in understanding and learning about possible liver damage caused by current or previous hazardous drinking. The accessibility and convenience of co-located liver screening at existing services and community events was another motivation for engagement. The evaluation suggests that some service users felt motivated to adopt healthier lifestyles following screening, regardless of the result.
Overall, the service was felt to be acceptable and accessible to service users, although some improvements were suggested, for example, information to promote the service in different ways and support awareness of liver health among service users and others who may benefit from the service.
Dr Annie Archer (PhD student, Bristol Medical School) said:
The study has really helped us to understand what has helped people to engage with this earlier detection project, and we have already put in place optimisations taken directly from the study findings. I hope that the study results will be used more widely to help inform services in other regions, particularly in terms of reducing health inequalities experienced by people at risk of liver disease.
