GICEE
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploratory assessment of the cost impact of managing GI consequences of cancer treatment outside of a specialist clinic.
IRAS ID
188349
Contact name
Amyn Lalji
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
An estimated 90,000 patients are suffering from long-term gastrointestinal problems after cancer treatments, and whilst the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative have been working to develop specific pathways of care, these pathways lack in both specialised tariff funding and awareness.
This study aims to assess the economic and personal impact on patients suffering from stomach and/or bowel problems after cancer treatment prior to referral to the Gastrointestinal and Nutrition Team (GIANT) at the Royal Marsden Hospital. All patients referred to the GIANT service (including private patients but excluding re-referrals) will be offered participation in the study.
The study will consist of a 9-page patient retrospective questionnaire, asking questions about investigations and medications prescribed over the past year, as well as costs and methods of trying to treat their symptoms themselves, and the personal cost to themselves of their symptoms through loss of work and emotional impact. As this questionnaire asks patients questions about the past year, and thus can be difficult to answer accurately, patient answers will be validated for reliability by sending a 1-page questionnaire to their GP asking the same questions about clinic visits concerning stomach/bowel problems, investigations and medications prescribed in the past year.
Once this data is collected from the participants, and the study has finished, the average cost of clinical interventions, economic impact, and personal impact, will be calculated.
The results from this study will be useful in helping to show the economic burden of GI symptoms, and will provide evidence as to the economic benefit of specialised clinics for the consequences of cancer treatment; highlighting the need for a nationally recognised algorithm for management.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/YH/0555
Date of REC Opinion
7 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion