Care in the community for people living with advanced liver disease
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Supportive care in the community for people living with advanced liver disease: a feasibility study
IRAS ID
161625
Contact name
Scott Murray
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
ACCORD
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
Liver disease is the fifth largest cause of death in the UK and affects younger people, but palliative care for these patients is poorly developed. This feasibility study will test a supportive care liver nurse specialist intervention to improve care coordination and quality of life for patients and carers living with advanced liver disease. Patients (n=50) with advanced, progressive liver disease will be recruited from the gastroenterology unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. For 6 months, they and their informal carers will receive dedicated support including anticipatory care planning from the study liver nurse specialist in addition to their normal care. We will use questionnaires and interviews with patients, informal carers and healthcare professionals to evaluate the impact of the intervention on resource use, care planning processes and quality of life of patients and carers. We will also seek their views on the acceptability, effectiveness, feasibility and potential improvements of this innovative intervention to inform a future large-scale randomised controlled trial. This study is funded by the Chief Scientist Office.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 01
REC reference
14/SS/1069
Date of REC Opinion
16 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion