Patient experience of patient-initiated follow-up (PIFU): a rapid scoping review and qualitative study - Chris Sherlaw-Johnson, Theo Georghiou, Rachel Hutchings, Cyril Lobont, Stuti Bagri, Stephanie Kumpunen, Dr Nadia Crellin, Sarah Reed, Camille Oun

WHAT IS PIFU? • Recently there has been an increase in • This was one element of a rapid mixed-methods study of PIFU • To understand how outpatient visits for follow-up appointments A process where people can request an implementation and patient/ staff experience patients with different which are often seen to be of less clinical value outpatient appointment as and when they • Scoping review of 1. [...] Trust and confidence in the service was an important part of this • Reasons for declining PIFU included preference for regular interaction, desire to stick to their routine and concerns about getting appointments although the numbers of people declining was not routinely captured Enablers and barriers to patient engagement • Enablers to patient engagement included having clear routes to contacting. [...] FURTHER RESEARCH REQUIRED • Clear, consistent and accessible information on PIFU and its purpose, to both • Challenges with patient recruitment - targeted • Greater understanding of the reasons why people may decline to use PIFU staff and patients, is key to successful implementation. [...] This includes clarity (for approach within specific services may be more will be vital to understanding the perceived and actual barriers and patients and staff) on the difference between PIFU and discharge appropriate in future potential action required to address these • PIFU is just one part of a wider approach to patient care particularly for people • PIFU is implemented variably across NHS tr. [...] The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily of the NIHR or the Department of reliable and systematic information is required on who is engaging with services Health and Social Care.