Acceptability and usability of SISOM (version 1.0)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Acceptability and usability of SISOM; an interactive tool to aid communication in Paediatric Oncology
IRAS ID
194423
Contact name
Kim Bull
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 8 days
Research summary
SISOM (from the Norwegian ‘Si det som det er’ or ‘Say it like it is) is a computer-based interactive tool developed to help children with cancer, aged 7-12, to identify and effectively communicate their symptoms and feelings within the healthcare setting. http://www.communicaretools.org/research-projects/sisom/
During and after treatment, children with cancer experience several complex disease and treatment related symptoms. Existing evidence demonstrates that clinical staff are less accurate at detecting symptoms and concerns in children, whose ability to report problems is dependent upon their cognitive and verbal skills, than their adult counterparts. Studies suggest that children’s comments make up only 4% of paediatric outpatient consultations, with most of the communication directed towards parents. Children, therefore, are at particular risk of their symptoms and problems not being identified, and hence not effectively managed.
SISOM is an interactive tool in which the child is able to create an animated character who, through travelling to different virtual ‘islands’, is presented with many different scenarios which may or may not be a problem for them; these include physical symptoms, possible fears and social issues in various environments. The child is asked to rate each scenario on a ‘smiley face’ scale to show how much of an issue it poses to them. The programme then generates a printable report which enables health professionals involved in the child’s care to address any problems which have been raised.
This study will assess how acceptable and useful SISOM is to patients on a children’s cancer ward, their parents and the clinicians involved in their care. It will also explore whether the use of SISOM has any impact on Doctor-Child communication in the outpatient setting. These outcomes will be achieved through a series of feedback questionnaires for participating children, parents and clinicians. All responses will be treated confidentially.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0046
Date of REC Opinion
15 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion