Comprehensive assessment of older adults with cancer
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Developing an evidence-based system to facilitate the predictive assessment and optimisation of older adults with cancer
IRAS ID
265639
Contact name
Gordon McKenzie
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hull
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
BACKGROUND:
Our population is both ageing and growing and healthcare services must adapt accordingly. Older adults with cancer are known to experience worse outcomes compared to younger people, including higher levels of complications after surgery, side effects, lower access to treatments and death rates. International societies have recommended that all older adults with cancer should undergo a thorough assessment called a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). CGA explores many aspects of an older person's health, including physical, mental and social areas. CGA has been found to help predict how well an older adult may manage after cancer treatment and also to highlight problems that could be missed through routine assessments during usual care. However, CGA is hard to implement into clinical practice due to logistical, staffing and financial reasons. We have developed a new service within Hull University Teaching Hospitals (HUTH) NHS Trust to enable older adults with confirmed or suspected cancer to receive a CGA. For the purposes of research, we call this service Systematic OncoGeriatric Assessment (SOGA).METHODS:
We are undertaking surveys and face-to-face interviews of patients using the SOGA service to understand their views, understanding and experiences of using the SOGA service and the overall process of assessment. We are also seeking to use data collected during patient assessments to better understand what parts of the SOGA are the most important for predicting outcomes. The overall aim of the study is to further improve the SOGA service, both to make it easier for patients to use and easier and more cost-effective for hospitals to operate. We have received input from patient-public involvement networks and the service is also being evaluated locally within HUTH.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/YH/0382
Date of REC Opinion
20 Dec 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion