POPPI: Feasibility Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Psychological Outcomes following a nurse-led Preventative Psychological Intervention for critically ill patients (POPPI): Feasibility Study
IRAS ID
149095
Contact name
Kathryn Rowan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre
Research summary
Approximately 100,000 people are treated in critical care every year. Unfortunately, two-thirds may suffer disturbing psychological symptoms such as hallucinations during their stay. Research shows half of survivors develop psychological illnesses such as severe depression, anxiety and distress in the months after leaving hospital, which may still be present up to two years later.
We are looking to develop, test and refine a new psychological approach to reduce the stress on critical care patients. The POPPI Feasibility Study aims to inform a larger subsequent study, by carrying out two primary studies in parallel.
Intervention Feasibility Study: to design and test a psychological care package specialising in training of critical care nurses to provide psychological support for their patients. Training will have three aims; first, helping nurses to provide a calm, healing environment for patients; second, teaching nurses to detect psychological distress, and finally; teaching experienced nurses how to give stress support to highly distressed patients. This will tested across two critical care units and aims to recruit 66 patients over three months. Eligible patients staying over 48 hours will be invited to participate, if they agree they will be assessed for symptoms of anxiety, depression and stress. If deemed to be at high risk of developing further psychological illnesses they will receive three one-to-one support sessions delivered by a trained nurse. Patients and nurses will later assess the whole process through acceptability questionnaires.
RCT Processes Feasibility Study: to test the logistics and procedures. Eligible patients staying over 48 hours will be invited to participate, if they agree they will be sent questionnaires regarding their general well-being two months later. This study will be carried out in two critical care units and aims to recruit 44 patients over two months.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/0149
Date of REC Opinion
23 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion