Effects of waiting time
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effects of waiting times on quality of life, leisure activities and support needs in patients awaiting elective surgery in Scotland
IRAS ID
309164
Contact name
Craig Ramsay
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Elective surgery often requires patients to wait, since often more people need these surgeries than can be supplied in public health care systems (Ballini et al., 2015, Siciliani & Hurst, 2005). There is mixed evidence on the effects waiting times can have on patients’ quality of life, leisure activities, social life and support needs.
In collaboration with NHS Grampian, the current study aims to investigate the possible effects prolonged waiting for elective surgery may have. The aim is to collect data over time via online surveys, and complement this data with individual participant interviews with patients waiting with a range of conditions. Doing this will help to show if there are changes in people's lifestyles and support needs over time, and if so, what these changes are. These results can support NHS Grampian in successfully managing their waiting lists for elective surgery.
References:
Ballini, L., Negro, A., Maltoni, S., Vignatelli, L., Flodgren, G., Simera, I., Holmes, J. & Grilli, R. (2015). Interventions to reduce waiting times for elective procedures. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (2), CD005610. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005610.pub2.Siciliani, L. & Hurst, J. (2005). Tackling excessive waiting times for elective surgery: A comparative analysis of policies in 12 OECD countries. Health Policies, 72, 201-215.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
22/NS/0144
Date of REC Opinion
28 Nov 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion