LINEAR Study: Experiences of patients and families after heart surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The LINEAR study: Long-term experIeNces of middle-aged patients and family caregivers after opEn-heArt suRgery. A longitudinal qualitative study exploring experiences of middle-aged men and women who have undergone open-heart surgery for the first time and their family caregivers.
IRAS ID
347520
Contact name
Halil Kaya
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Plymouth-Research & Innovation
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
5652, Plymouth Ethics Online System
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Why do we need to do this research?
Around 31,000 heart surgeries are performed in the UK every year. Patients often face physical, social, and psychological challenges in the first six months after their surgery. Also, the family members who care for these patients might experience challenges. Most studies explored the experiences of patients of different ages. However, no study compared the experiences of men and women in the middle-aged group.
What is our research question?
What are the experiences of middle-aged patients who have undergone open-heart surgery for the first time and their family caregivers?
How important is the study to patients and public?
Members of the Heart Voices of the British Heart Foundation told us that this study is important. They contributed to the development of this protocol. They suggested including family members in the study and limiting the age of patients between 45 and 65. The findings will inform nurses and doctors to provide better care and support to patients and families after open-heart surgery.
Who would be eligible?
In our study we include men and women aged between 45-65 of age and their family caregivers. We will exclude patients who have already had previous open heart surgery, have congenital heart disease, or have had a heart transplantation.
Where will the study be conducted?
This single-centre study will be conducted at the cardiothoracic surgery centre at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.
How long will the study last, and what will the participants undergo?
This qualitative study will last for 12 months. The patients will be asked to participate in two interviews: one within six weeks after surgery and one six months after surgery. The family members will be asked to participate in one interview, which will be scheduled six months after the surgery of their loved one.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/YH/0244
Date of REC Opinion
21 Nov 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion