Researching care pathway development in the United Kingdom: Stage 1

This paper describes an evaluative research study looking at the development of care pathways across the United Kingdom. Current thinking around the use of care pathways as tools to manage clinical care processes is outlined, and some of the terminology and definitions currently in use are described. The paper continues by presenting the results of a survey undertaken to quantify the level and use of care pathways across the United Kingdom, as a precursor to researching users' perceptions of care pathways and how they impact on clinical practice. The findings from the initial survey show a significant number of NHS trusts using care pathways in the management and organisation of patient care. Of these, however, the majority of trusts are still at the development and piloting phase, with most being undertaken in the acute sector. The top five procedures being managed using care pathways are: fractured neck of femur, stroke, myocardial infarction, hip replacement, and asthma. Stage two of the study will aim to explore in further detail how clinical staff understand, experience and use care pathways as well as describe staff's perception of the relationship between care pathways and evidence-based practice.