{
  "abstract": "Introduction Breathlessness is a frequent presentation in primary care, with a wide range of potential underlying causes. Delayed or inaccurate diagnosis can result in inadequate treatment and may lead to avoidable hospital admissions. Timely and precise diagnosis is essential to achieve optimal patient outcomes (NHSE 2023).A novel diagnostic pathway was implemented within a community diagnostic centre (CDC) in the Black Country to address the needs of patients experiencing chronic breathlessness (>8 weeks). This initiative emphasises the role of the Clinical Scientist in triaging, diagnosing, and expediting care delivery within CDCs, providing a patient-centric approach while reducing demands on secondary care services.Methods Clinical scientists triage referred patients, selecting appropriate diagnostic tests tailored to individual needs. Diagnostic modalities include pulmonary function tests, bloods, chest X-ray, and ECG. Patients attend a single clinic appointment, where the Clinical Scientist conducts a detailed clinical history, performs the selected tests, and provides preliminary results. Clinics are CDC based to enhance accessibility and convenience for patients. Data was collected on pathway outcomes and compared to traditional secondary care pathways.Results Preliminary analysis shows that the novel pathway significantly reduces wait times, with a median referral-to-appointment time of 34 days and a referral-to-discharge time of 71 days. In contrast, the conventional general respiratory clinic pathway has a median referral-to-appointment time of 157 days and a referral-to-discharge time of 188 days, highlighting a marked improvement in service efficiency.Patient feedback indicates that same-day test completion and immediate discussion of preliminary findings are key benefits of this approach. Furthermore, over 70% of patients were managed entirely within the CDC setting, reducing reliance on secondary care services. Importantly, only 6% of patients required a clinician-based follow-up appointment, compared to 36% in conventional respiratory clinics. This streamlined approach reduces diagnostic delays and facilitates timely intervention. (Table 1)Abstract O2 Table 1Summary of service outcomesConclusion This pathway exemplifies the expanding role of Clinical Scientists in improving respiratory diagnostic services. By integrating clinical triage, diagnostic testing, and immediate feedback, this approach ensures timely and patient-focused care delivery. The favourable outcomes in diagnostic efficiency and accessibility underscore the value of Clinical Scientists in redefining patient pathways to meet contemporary healthcare demands.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Cannock, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Andrew Pritchard"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Cannock, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Megan Beacham"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Cannock, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Helen Ward"
    }
  ],
  "title": "O2 Evaluation of a novel clinical scientist led, one stop clinic for unexplained breathlessness",
  "uid": "32e6e242-3e87-5a8d-bddf-edf2bf1a20c3"
}