This DATSETNAMEreadme.txt file was generated on 2026-02-23 created by Laura McCool

DOI:

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Title of Dataset: A Service Evaluation Reviewing the Musculoskeletal (MSK) First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Service and Identify General Practitioner (GP)’s Understanding and Perception of the Role

2. Author Information
	A. Lead Author Contact Information
		Name: Mrs Laura McCool
		Institution: Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
		Address: Physiotherapy Department, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Great Maze Pond, London, England, UK
		Email: lauragarland@live.co.uk

	B. Secondary Author Contact Information
		Name: Ms Laura Eccott
		Institution: University of Hertfordshire
		Address: School of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
		Email: l.eccott2@herts.ac.uk

	
	

3. Date of data collection: stage 1 November 2024 and stage 2 December 2024 to February 2025

4. Geographic location of data collection: England 

5. Information about funding sources that supported the collection of the data: There was nil funding outsourced. 


SHARING/ACCESS INFORMATION

1. Licenses/restrictions placed on the data: CC-BY

2. Links to publications that cite or use the data: Currently under review by Primary Health Care Research & Development

3. Links to other publicly accessible locations of the data: none

4. Links/relationships to ancillary data sets: none 

5. Was data derived from another source? no
	A. If yes, list source(s): n/a

6. Recommended citation for this dataset: McCool, L . and Eccott, L. (2026). A Service Evaluation Reviewing the Musculoskeletal (MSK) First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Service and Identify General Practitioner (GP)’s Understanding and Perception of the Role. [Data set]. 
   University of Hertfordshire. 


DATA & FILE OVERVIEW

1. File List: 

There are 2 files; 1 file including the anonymised quantitative data.
 

3. Additional related data collected that was not included in the current data package: 


4. Are there multiple versions of the dataset? no
	


METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION

1. Description of methods used for collection/generation of data: 

This mixed-methods study was conducted in two sequential stages to evaluate the Musculoskeletal (MSK) First Contact Practitioner (FCP) service and explore General Practitioners’ (GPs) understanding and perceptions of the role. The study followed the SQUIRE (Standards for QUality Improvement Reporting Excellence) guidelines (Ogrinc et al., 2016). 

Stage 1 (Quantitative Data Collection)
Quantitative data were collected by four FCPs across six GP practices within a single Primary Care Network (PCN) in September 2024. The aim was to determine the proportion of ‘true’ first contact appointments and duplication rates. Information recorded included appointment type (initial or follow-up), referral source, and any healthcare professional previously consulted. A standardised Microsoft Excel template was used to ensure consistency and comparability across practices.

Stage 2 (Qualitative Data Collection)
Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with GPs via Zoom™ to explore their awareness and perceptions of the FCP role. The aim was to identify barriers, facilitators, and contextual influences on GP referral behaviour. A structured yet flexible interview guide provided a framework for consistency while allowing participants to elaborate on their experiences. All interviews were audio-visually recorded, transcribed verbatim, anonymised, and securely stored.

Ethical approval was obtained through the University of Hertfordshire's Health, Science, Engineering and Technology Ethics Committee with Delegated Authority, (protocol number aCHSK-CL-UH-05058(2)). Consent was obtained for each participant before taking part in the interview.


2. Methods for processing the data: 

Quantitative data were analysed descriptively using Microsoft Excel to report frequencies and percentages across practices, identifying variation in appointment types and referral patterns. 

Qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, involving the six stages as defined by Braun and Clarke (2021). The process included familiarisation and immersion by watching the interviews, which were then transcribed verbatim and anonymised using participant coding. The anonymised transcripts were then uploaded on to Microsoft Excel for initial coding. Data was all password protected. 

3. Instrument- or software-specific information needed to interpret the data: 
Excel (Microsoft software package, California, USA)

4. Standards and calibration information, if appropriate: N/A? 

5. Environmental/experimental conditions: N/A

6. Describe any quality-assurance procedures performed on the data: The author completed transcription verbatim and checked for accuracy. Member checking was not included aligning with Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis (2022), which values subjectivity and researcher reflexivity over research triangulation.

7. People involved with sample collection, processing, analysis and/or submission: 
Mrs Laura McCool and Ms Laura Eccott


DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR: [FILENAME]

1. Number of variables: N/A

2. Number of cases/rows: N/A

3. Variable List: N/A


4. Missing data codes: 
There are no missing data codes

5. Specialized formats or other abbreviations used:
Quantitative spreadsheet abbreviations:  
FCP FU - First Contact Practitioner Follow Up, DNA - did not attend, N/A - not applicable, F2F - face to face, USS Ultrasound scan, Dx - diagnostic, Ex - exercise, PLT - Professional Learning Time, PIFU - patient initiated follow up, MSK - Musculoskeletal, MCATS - Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment & Treatment Service, FC - First Contact, NP - New Patient