COSMOS (COolorectal Screening and Multi-morbidity OutcomeS)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding experience, completion and outcomes of colorectal cancer screening among participants with multi-morbidity
IRAS ID
250483
Contact name
Steph Smits
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Background: Currently in Wales, people aged 60-74 are invited to take part in bowel screening every two years. Between 40%-60% of people of bowel screening age have two or more long-term conditions. This is known as multi-morbidity. The effect of multi-morbidity on people’s experiences of bowel screening is not currently known. This project will find ways of supporting people with multi-morbidity who undergo bowel screening and the health professionals involved in their care, and to improve the bowel screening service as a whole.
Methods: Phase 1: Quantitative data from three different sources will be analysed. These will be 1) screening data, 2) GP data and 3) hospital data. Analysis will look at participants with and without multi-morbidity who have received a positive stool test. The three sources will be brought together to describe the journey people go through in bowel screening after receiving a positive stool test.
Phase 2: Qualitative interviews with 35-40 screening participants will explore people’s understanding of multi-morbidity, experiences, and level of support in the screening service.
Phase 3: Qualitative interviews with 15-20 bowel screening healthcare professionals will explore how multi-morbidity influences decision making processes.
Phase 4: A triangulation protocol will be used to bring the findings from Phases 1-3 together. This will lead to understanding the interaction between screening participant perceptions, health care professional perceptions and screening pathways.
Phase 5: Strategies and interventions will be recommended for each of the findings from Phase 4. Recommendations will include how to address and implement the findings within the screening programme.
How results will be used: Phase 5 findings will form the basis for funding applications beyond this project. It will also form a template for future work for other screening programmes and cancer interventions where multi-morbidity may affect perceptions, mortality and quality of life.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/2212
Date of REC Opinion
21 Dec 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion