Patient and staff communication in a Major Trauma Centre
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding patients' perspectives of clinical communication within a Major Trauma Centre
IRAS ID
304448
Contact name
Peter Fisher
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 29 days
Research summary
A major traumatic event can be defined as “an injury or combination of injuries that are life-threatening and can be life changing because it may result in long-term disability” (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, [NICE] 2016a). Individuals who experience major traumatic events are supported within specialist regional trauma networks based in sites known as Major Trauma Centres (MTC) (NICE, 2016b). A range of clinicians work in MTCs, supporting patients with various needs, such as emergency care, critical care or complex rehabilitation (NHS England, 2013). As patients are supported by multiple clinicians, there are several complex clinical conversations that occur. These clinical conversations between a patient and clinician occur regarding a person’s physical health needs, psychological health, rehabilitation needs and other factors. Patients therefore receive clinical information about a range of topics, such as treatment options, the physical impact of their injury and how they are psychologically. This research aims to understand what this experience of clinical communication is like for patients within a MTC. To achieve this aim, major trauma patients who have received treatment at the MTC at Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust, Aintree Site will be interviewed. These interviews will last approximately 45 minutes - 1 hour and will take place at the outpatient clinic at the MTC. The individual interviews will be analysed qualitatively, where key themes from participants will be collated and reviewed. Participants will also complete three questionnaires to obtain a baseline measurement of their psychological distress, which will be analysed quantitatively using descriptive statistics. From this analysis, guidance for clinicians will be developed to help clinicians better understand how to communicate clinical information effectively. This guidance will also be beneficial for patients’, their relatives and service providers who are seeking to understand patients’ experiences to maximise recovery post injury (Kendrick et al., 2011).
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NW/0013
Date of REC Opinion
20 Apr 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion