Piloting of a prototype decision aid for ENT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Piloting of a decision aid for recurrent tonsillitis in adults.
IRAS ID
230362
Contact name
Helen Moffat
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Grampian
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 29 days
Research summary
Patients can often perceive they lack autonomy within the decision process around treatment options, often lacking awareness a decision is being made. Tonsillectomy is considered to be a routine clinical procedure in adults, the efficacy of this treatment option lacks a robust evidence base and conversations around patient values are not discussed by patients and clinicians openly. In addition to the lack of evidence and consideration of values the numbers of surgical interventions has a considerable regional variation, although there appears to be a general decline in the numbers of procedures being performed overall. Despite tonsillectomy being less common, financial benefits to the NHS have been negated due to the associated costs of treating increasing numbers of patients who experience complications arising from advanced tonsillitis. Furthermore patients often perceive tonsillectomy as the ultimate method of treating recurrent tonsillitis perceiving other options presented by clinicians as barriers rather than valid treatment options. In addition to the lack of evidence for the efficacy of tonsillectomy in adults, there is also no adult specific decision aid available to support patients in their decision making process. This may potentially mean patients are not making an informed choice regarding their treatment options when experiencing recurrent tonsillitis.
This study aims to address the potential gap by designing and piloting a prototype decision aid for an adult population. In addition to addressing generic issues such as pros and cons of each of the clinical pathways this decision aid will also seek to tap into patient values which are currently neglected in the treatment process.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1
REC reference
18/ES/0098
Date of REC Opinion
12 Oct 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion