The CO-produced Psychosocial INtervention delivered by GPs to young people after self-harm (COPING): protocol for a feasibility study

Faraz Mughal, Carolyn a. Chew-Graham, Benjamin Saunders, Sarah a. Lawton, Sarah Lewis, Jo Smith, Gillian Lancaster, Ellen Townsend, Christopher j. Armitage, Peter Bower, Nav Kapur, David Kessler, Alba x. Realpe, Nicola Wiles, Dennis Ougrin, Martyn Lewis

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Abstract

Background
Self-harm in young people is a growing concern and reducing rates a global priority. General practitioners (GPs) can intervene early after self-harm but there are no effective treatments presently available. We developed the GP-led COPING intervention, in partnership with young people with lived experience and GPs, to be delivered to young people 16–25 years across two consultations. This study aims to examine the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a fully powered effectiveness trial of the COPING intervention in NHS general practice.

Methods
This will be a mixed-methods external non-randomised before-after single arm feasibility study in NHS general practices in the West Midlands, England. Patients aged 16–25 years who have self-harmed in the last 12 months will be eligible to receive COPING. Feasibility outcomes will be recruitment rates, intervention delivery, retention rates, and completion of follow-up outcome measures. All participants will receive COPING with a target sample of 31 with final follow-up data collection at six months from baseline. Clinical data such as self-harm repetition will be collected. A nested qualitative study and national survey of GPs will explore COPING acceptability, deliverability, implementation, and likelihood of contamination.

Discussion
Brief GP-led interventions for young people after self-harm are needed and address national guideline and policy recommendations. This study of the COPING intervention will assess whether a main trial is feasible.
Original languageEnglish
JournalNIHR Open Research
Volume4
Issue number27
Early online date8 May 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 8 May 2024

Keywords

  • Protocol
  • self-harm
  • young people
  • general practice
  • general practitioner
  • feasibility
  • mixed methods

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