Exploring therapy services across the cancer care pathway in ABUHB
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring therapy services across the cancer care pathway in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) to develop service delivery options
IRAS ID
271920
Contact name
Sara Jane Pocknell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Previous research suggests that partnership and collaboration within cancer teams are associated with improved survival rates, however the complexity of cancer care can create challenges for health care professionals when trying to provide effective high-quality patient care. For example, services can evolve disparately with no clear model of best practice. This can be problematic in establishing continuity of care and ensuring patients get adequate information and support. Recent evidence suggests that 30% of cancer patients have unmet needs after treatment, and many could benefit from additional interventions from therapy practitioners within the allied health professional team. These professionals are from several departments, namely: occupational therapy, dietetics, physiotherapy, podiatry, orthotics, psychology and speech and language therapy and are often involved throughout the cancer pathway, some through to survivorship and some to end of life care.
The aim is to develop a cancer pathway for therapy practitioners from allied health professions working in adult cancer care within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB). There are four stages to the project, firstly, a review of current literature will be undertaken. Secondly, an exploration of what, where, when and how therapy practitioners working within the health board are contributing to adult cancer services. Thirdly, a comparison between the first two stages of the project will be undertaken to establish if gaps exist within the cancer pathway. Finally, a report will be provided, including feasible options, to provide a clear cancer pathway for therapy practitioners within adult cancer services at ABUHB. The project will consist of questionnaires and interviews of therapy practitioners from the professions listed above, including Macmillan staff as a key third sector provider of cancer care. Also, members of the public who have experienced therapy as part of their cancer care will be interviewed to provide their experiences of therapy services.REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
20/WA/0267
Date of REC Opinion
14 Oct 2020
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion