ASK_ME
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Addressing the barriers and facilitators to Shared Decision Making in Advanced Cancer consultations from the perspectives of decision makers: a qualitative study
IRAS ID
341150
Contact name
Grant Punnett
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 17 days
Research summary
Shared decision making is a term that is used to describe the process of doctors and patients making a decision together about medical treatment for the patient. In this process the doctor will discuss with the patient all of the risks and benefits of treatment options (including doing nothing); the patient will let the doctor know their goals of care and what is important to them. This approach gives patients a say in what happens to them and is more likely to result in a decision which reflects the needs and priorities of the patient and reduce decision conflict. This is especially important where the likelihood of treatment working is uncertain, such as in later stages of cancer. Despite the benefits, shared decision making does not always occur.
Our research aims to determine what helps or stops people with advanced or incurable cancer being involved in decisions about their anti-cancer treatment and how can we enhance their involvement in these decisions. The study will use a descriptive qualitative approach where semi-structured interviews will be conducted with people who have advanced/incurable cancer and clinicians who provide their medical care to answer these questions. The interviews will ask questions about participant’s understanding and experience of shared decision making and how they believe it can be enhanced in practice.We will recruit people and clinicians from a cancer treatment centre in North West England and its satellite sites. Participants will finish the study once they complete the interview which takes approximately one hour.
The participants of this study may not receive specific benefits however the findings of this study will identify ways to help enhance shared decision making which are acceptable to those who will be making the decisions.
This study is part of a PhD programme and has not received any funding.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
24/ES/0058
Date of REC Opinion
27 Aug 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion