FRAME Study Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
FRAME Study: Frailty and Reported priorities Among older adults Meeting cardiac surgery Eligibility.
IRAS ID
368921
Contact name
Denver Glasgow
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 30 days
Research summary
The FRAME study will explore how older people make decisions about planned heart surgery and what information they need beforehand. Many people aged 65 years and over are assessed for frailty, meaning reduced physical strength and resilience so the body has less “reserve” to cope with stresses such as surgery. Frailty is linked to a higher chance of complications and a more difficult recovery, but the term can be unclear and may not be explained consistently. Evidence suggests that frailty before surgery is linked to differences in quality of life after cardiac surgery, highlighting why good communication about frailty matters.
Research question: How do older adults understand frailty and use that information when thinking about the risks, benefits and likely recovery from elective cardiac surgery, and what outcomes matter most to them?
Design and methods: This is a qualitative interview study recruiting from an anaesthesia-led pre-assessment clinic for elective cardiac surgery in Northern Ireland. We plan to interview 6–12 participants: Patients aged 65 years or over who have capacity to consent, and up to 3 family members involved in decision-making. Interviews will be semi-structured, last 20–45 minutes, and take place in a private clinic room or using an approved secure video platform.
What participation involves: A one-off interview with audio-recording and use of anonymised quotations. Participation is voluntary and will not affect care.
Data management and analysis: Recordings will be transcribed, names removed, and stored securely on encrypted, access-controlled university systems in line with the General Data Protection Regulation. We will use thematic analysis to identify and report key themes.
Potential benefits: Findings may help clinicians explain frailty more clearly and support more person-centred decision-making before surgery.
REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/PR/0593
Date of REC Opinion
27 May 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion