CAT-S pilot and evaluation (Lancashire and Cumbria ICS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot and evaluation of the Carers' Alert Thermometer for Stroke (CAT-S) by stroke teams across the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System
IRAS ID
315942
Contact name
Katherine Knighting
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Edge Hill University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
FOHS119, Edge Hill University Faculty Research Ethics Committee (FREC)
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
The majority of stroke survivors rely on family carers to provide assistance with their daily activities, which range from physical help to psychological support. However, the information and support needs of the carers are not always met and they often experience deterioration of their own health and well-being. Therefore, early identification of the carers’ needs and support is important to sustain their caring role. Furthermore, research indicates that there is a dearth of stroke specific assessment forms or tools for carers.
Edge Hill University has developed a two-page tool called the ‘Carers’ Alert Thermometer for Stroke’(CAT- S). It is an evidence-based triage tool designed to identify and triage the needs of people who are providing unpaid carer support to a family member or friend at home who has survived a stroke.
This study will build on a short pilot conducted in 2019 to understand the views and experiences of using the CAT-S from the perspectives of caregivers and stroke healthcare professionals. It will establish usability of the CAT-S with a larger number of carers of stroke survivors and stroke healthcare professionals across an ICS. In phase 1 healthcare professionals will introduce and complete the CAT-S form with caregivers (3 - 6 months) and share anonymised data to the team. In phase 2, caregivers and healthcare professionals will be invited to participate in a telephone interview, to discuss their experiences of the use of the CAT-S. Caregivers and healthcare professionals who expressed an interest in participating in the interviews, will be contacted by a researcher. These interviews will be conducted approx 4 weeks after the first stage of the study has ended. This time gap is to allow carers and healthcare professionals follow up time for any necessary assessments, action plans and support that may result from completing the CAT-S.
REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/0801
Date of REC Opinion
22 Aug 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion