Impact of COVID-19 on lung cancer patients

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Understanding the physical, social and psychological impact of COVID-19 on shielded lung cancer patients

• IRAS ID

  287025

• Contact name

  Sally Taylor

• Contact email

  sally.taylor@christie.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 3 months, 31 days

• Research summary

  Summary of Research
  During the COVID-19 pandemic, people’s lives have changed dramatically. People with lung cancer who are shielding may have been particularly affected as they may be unable to carry out many of their normal daily activities, such as grocery shopping and exercise, and are unable to interact with friends and family. People with lung cancer will also have experienced some changes to the clinical services available to them at The Christie. Using a questionnaire and interviews, we want to understand patient experiences of the changes in their daily lives and the changes to their clinical care. This will help us to see if people with lung cancer need any additional support services or if there are any changes we can make to clinical services to improve patient experiences. Eligible patients will be any lung cancer patients receiving current treatment or in active follow up.

  Summary of Results
  COVID19 negatively impacted on many aspects of patients’ lives, younger patients and older patients who were frail were more heavily affected. Many patients (older patients in particular) preferred face-to-face consultations but several benefits of telephone consultations were mentioned. Ideally patients should be able to meet the clinical team at their first visit. The situation of the individual should then be considered when deciding if telephone consultations are appropriate going forward. Seeing or speaking to the same healthcare professional was important for patients so this continuity should be maintained where possible. Patients felt that during COVID-19 they did not have as much as access to support from other cancer patients or from family and friends during appointments so it is important for clinical teams to think about ways to provide patients with access to additional support if needed

• REC name

  London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  20/LO/1014

• Date of REC Opinion

  21 Aug 2020

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion