Optimising the care of patients receiving oral SACTs - part three V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimising the care of patients receiving oral systemic anti-cancer treatments: a mixed methods study
IRAS ID
204177
Contact name
Michael Mawhinney
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford Brookes University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 1 days
Research summary
Systemic anti-cancer treatments (SACTs) refer to medications, such as chemotherapy, given via any route, which actively treat cancer cells. Recent decades have demonstrated a significant increase in the availability of oral SACTs. \nOral SACTs are advantageous to patients - they can be as effective as intravenous treatments, taken at home, require fewer hospital visits and patients may feel more in control of their cancer treatment. While advantages are clear, the risks remain similar and debatably larger.\nCancer treatments can cause serious side effects as they affect healthy cells, as well as cancer cells, and cause side effects, such as increasing risk of serious infections and diarrhoea. These side effects need to be treated promptly and appropriately to prevent further potentially life threatening complications. \nAs patients have less contact with clinical staff when taking an oral SACT, pre-treatment education is vital. \nA cancer centre at an NHS Trust has implemented an education clinic where patients are provided with a detailed consultation and teaching session covering management of their oral anti-cancer medicines and health during their cancer treatment.\nThis study aims to gain an in-depth understanding of patients and health professionals experiences of the education clinic and seek to identify areas for improvement. The study is in three parts: 1) a systematic review of the literature 2) health professionals perspectives 3) patient perspectives . \nThis ethics application refers specifically to part three of the study: perspectives and experiences of patients.\nOverall the findings from this study will inform the development of national health policy regarding the management of care of patients receiving oral SACTs.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0586
Date of REC Opinion
27 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion