Table 1 Brief description of the intervention

Intervention

The pilot ran for 21-weeks. The participating GP practices were reimbursed for the time of the GP, who attended the cardiology education training course, and for one session per week for cardiology in-practice service. There were 2 phases to the intervention, these were:

Educational phase

Clinical phase

Duration: 4 sessions over 6-weeks,

Duration: 16 weeks in-house cardiology service.

Tutors: two GPwSIs in Cardiology and a NHS Consultant Cardiologist

Topics covered: diagnostics in cardiology; echocardiogram, heart failure diagnosis and management; atrial fibrillation and palpitations in primary care; optimal medical management and review of clinical cases/top-up session.

Objective: the ECR GPs had the opportunity to implement their extended cardiology knowledge and skills. Accepted referrals on patients who presented with symptoms of heart problems at the practice.

Clinical support

The ECR GPs received clinical support from a Consultant Cardiologist and the GPwSI in Cardiology. This was by telephone and by email using an encrypted email system. Contact details were shared for the GPs involved, and four meetings were hosted with the GPs to facilitate peer group support.

Guidelines on the use of the new in-practice service were disseminated internally in the participating practices.