What is the Test Smart Study?
The Test Smart Study is a clinical trial that will evaluate a new evidence-based blood testing strategy to monitor long-term conditions in general practice.
The strategy, developed by researchers and clinicians at the Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol, aims to improve the use of blood tests for monitoring type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease.
The evaluation will let patients, doctors and nurses know the best tests to use for these conditions, how often to test patients, and how to use the results.
It could free up resources in general practice, reduce unnecessary testing for patients and improve overall management of long-term conditions.
The study is part of the Optimal Testing Programme, a five-year research programme funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
About the Optimal Testing Programme
The Optimal Testing Programme consists of 5 work packages. In work packages 1-4, evidence-based testing panels and information resources for clinicians and patients were developed, together forming the Test Smart strategy.
The Test Smart Study is the fifth and final work package. It is a cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) that will evaluate the Test Smart strategy in GP practices in England. Some practices will be randomly assigned to use the Test Smart strategy, while others will be randomly assigned to provide usual care.
The study is expected to run until August 2026.
Find out more about the study.
