A qualitative exploration of comfort management during radiotherapy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study exploring patient experiences of comfort during radiotherapy and radiographer views of managing patient comfort during the delivery of radiotherapy
IRAS ID
252876
Contact name
Simon Goldsworthy
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of the West of England
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
For this study we wish to gain a greater understanding of patient and radiographers experiences and views of comfort to inform the development of a radiotherapy comfort intervention. In healthcare, physical and psychological interventions have been used to improve the comfort of people and, specifically in radiotherapy, there are some examples where relaxation methods have improved patient comfort.
The focus of this research is based on the comfort of patients who are receiving treatment that lasts more than 10 minutes in one radiotherapy session. Patients have informed us that the longer they remain in position, the more uncomfortable they feel. Therefore we would like to do something to improve patient comfort. In order to seek further understanding of patients discomfort during treatment, we will interview up to 25 patients and 25 radiographers.
We will recruit patients from Radiotherapy at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, for a face to face interview at a time and place of their choosing (Musgrove Park Hospital or their homes). Radiographers will be recruited nationally at conferences and special interest groups and interviewed via telephone or skype at a time of their choosing. Interviews will take up to 60 minutes.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/SC/0689
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jan 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion