Please help us improve the Care OBRA Tool - the outbreak reporting service for acute respiratory infections in adult social care – incentives available
Dear Adult Social Care managers / those who report outbreaks to health protection teams,
We are looking for volunteers to take part in some research to help us improve how we support adult social care settings manage acute respiratory outbreaks.
Incentives available
As a thank you for participating in our research, we are offering a £40 voucher.
Please would you consider taking part?
If you are able, please register your interest in our research by clicking here.
Approximately two years ago, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) South West began using the online Care OBRA Tool for adult social care providers to report acute respiratory outbreaks “Report an Outbreak”. The aim was to streamline how we support Adult Social Care providers to report, risk assess and manage outbreaks of Acute Respiratory Infection and to provide a more timely and more consistent service.
As part of the programme to improve and develop this new system, over the next 6 weeks, we seeking your feedback on how adult social care providers are using the system (or not using it).
Who are we looking for?
Adult Social Care staff whose work involves reporting ARI outbreaks, if and when they occur. No knowledge level or technical ability is required to be involved in this research. It doesn’t matter whether you have experience of using the Care OBRA service or not.
We are especially keen to hear from people who identify as disabled or face other barriers to using online services. For example, due to neurodivergence, limited internet access, less confidence using digital services, difficulty reading and writing English, or any other barrier. But we’d still like to hear from you if none of these apply.
What will participation involve?
We would like 30-45 minutes of your time for a call with the research team. You may be invited to:
a 30-minute informal chat about your current experience of reporting ARI outbreaks, or:
a 45-minute call in which we will ask you to test the new digital service.
The research sessions will take place between now and mid-June 2024. You won’t need to prepare anything in advance. We can be flexible about times to fit around your commitments (for example, arranging a late or early call outside of usual working hours if that fits your schedule best).
How do I sign up?
Complete the form by clicking here
For information on how we’ll use your data, see our privacy notice.
If you have any questions, please email the User Researchers on this project at care.obra.research@ukhsa.gov.uk