FAST-ACT

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Feasibility and acceptability of using a Shared Decision Making intervention to support patient choice of Airway Clearance Techniques in bronchiectasis physiotherapy consultations in the NHS.

• IRAS ID

  316457

• Contact name

  Paul McCallion

• Contact email

  paul.mccallion@nhs.net

• Sponsor organisation

  Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 9 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Bronchiectasis is a long-term lung condition with permanent widening of the airways leading to persistent cough and mucus retention leading to chest infections. Bronchiectasis affects over 300,000 people in the UK.
  Airway clearance techniques are ways to aid coughing to clear mucus from the lungs. They help reduce chest infections and hospital admissions. Guidelines recommend all patients are taught these by a respiratory physiotherapist and then performed at home by the patient. There are many types of airway clearance techniques with little evidence to say which one is best. The best technique may be the one that the patient commits to and uses most regularly.

  Shared decision-making (SDM) is used where there is uncertainty about the best treatment option. It allows professionals and patients to make decisions together. This process helps patients to understand treatment options available to them, including the positives and negatives for each option.

  Aims

  To assess the feasibility and acceptability of using a shared decision making intervention to support patient
  choice of ACTs in adult physiotherapy bronchiectasis consultations in the NHS.

  Methods
  The study will take place at two hospitals, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, University Hospitals Birmingham.

  A total of 50 patients (25 per site) will receive the intervention. The SDM intervention will be delivered during the physiotherapy bronchiectasis consultations at each hospital. Follow-up consultations will take place at 1 and 3 months. Patients will complete questionnaires throughout the study. Some patients will be invited to an interview after the study.

  This study will aim to recruit patients: ≥18 years old with a diagnosis of bronchiectasis. Patients who have cystic fibrosis will not be included.
  

• REC name

  East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  25/EE/0111

• Date of REC Opinion

  15 May 2025

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion