Catric Study (Version 2)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Communication about tests and referral to investigate causes of ill health (Catric Study 2)
IRAS ID
233571
Contact name
Lucy Brindle
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Southampton
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 3 days
Research summary
The threshold for urgent investigation (tests) for cancer has been lowered with the hope of improving early diagnosis of cancer. As a result more patient may be referred to specialists or offered tests. Most of these patents will not have cancer, however being offered investigation may cause concern. Furthermore, cancer is not always discussed by doctors with patients when referring them for tests in response to symptoms that may suggest cancer and very little is known about the information needs of these patients. This study aims to explore the consultation experience, GP communication and referrals, information needs and concerns of patients with suspected cancer.
80 doctor appointments in primary care, with patients who meet the criteria for investigation of suspected cancer will be video-recorded and some of these patients will also be interviewed about their information needs, their understanding of what was said in the consultation, any cancer concerns, and the extent to which their information needs and concerns were addressed. To achieve 80 recordings with patients who meet the criteria for investigation of suspected cancer, we will need to video-record up to 500 doctor appointments in primary care. We estimate that 200 recordings will come from patients recruited through triage who present NICE cancer referral symptoms (to provide 50-70 patients referred for recommended tests/specialist referral). We will also record up to 300 unselected patients (to provide 10-15 patients referred for recommended tests/specialist referral).
By linking our analyses of video-recordings with what patients say in interviews we will develop recommendations for GP-patient communication about referral, and investigation of suspected cancer. Recommendations will be developed into a training module for doctors, to promote best communication practices.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1685
Date of REC Opinion
18 Oct 2017
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion