Craniotomy and patients’ perception of risk v0.6
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Patients’ perception of risk during craniotomy and attitudes towards pre-operative discussion of risk: a qualitative study
IRAS ID
304459
Contact name
Melissa Gough
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 24 days
Research summary
Craniotomy is the term used to describe the operation undertaken to open the skull to enable access to the brain. Surgical procedures carried out on the brain and/or nerves within the head comprise a broad spectrum, carried out for a wide array of therapeutic needs. Among the most common reasons for a craniotomy are to treat a severe head injury or subarachnoid haemorrhage (bleeding over the brain surface), or to operate on a brain tumour. A total of around 75,000 patients are admitted to the 24 NHS trust (England) for neurosurgical care. Around one-third (27,000) of these patients underwent a cranial neurosurgical procedure. Every surgical procedure carries a risk. The aim of this study is to perform qualitative research utilising questionnaires to learn about patients’ understanding of risk during neurosurgical craniotomy procedures, and whether that understanding has an influence on the decision to proceed with surgery. Interviews with patients scheduled to undergo craniotomy to achieve this. The content of the discussions will be analysed, and common themes will then be drawn out. In the future, this information will be useful in helping further patients undergoing similar procedures. The utmost care will be taken to ensure that patients are carefully consented for the interviews and that they are fully aware of their right to opt out of the process at any point. It will also be communicated clearly that any decision to opt out will in no way affect their treatment in any way. All patient response data will be kept securely within the trust and remain completely confidential before it is analysed and destroyed after use in the research. The overall goal is to highlight common patient concerns and areas that are challenging to fully understand. This will enable work to improve communication and develop resources where.
REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
21/WA/0373
Date of REC Opinion
16 Nov 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion