Preparing patients and families for cancer chemotherapy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Co-designing a psychotherapeutic intervention to support patients and families coping with the consequences and risks of cancer chemotherapy
IRAS ID
214134
Contact name
Alison Metcalfe
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Receiving a cancer diagnosis is a very difficult experience for patients and their families. 33% of patients diagnosed with cancer will require chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms and side effects, which can affect the patient’s ability to perform everyday activities and / or may pose life-threatening risks to the patient's health. Patients therefore require careful vigilance by those caring for them. Furthermore, symptoms may cause psycho-social and emotional challenges to the patient as they learn to cope with the implications of the treatment.
The support and care provided by family members is important for a patient’s physical and emotional recovery. Research however, investigating family members experiences of supporting the patient through their diagnosis and treatments shows that they often feel isolated and ill prepared to care for the patient due to inadequate information and support. A lack of care confidence can reduce treatment adherence and increase health risks to the patient.
At present, cancer patients attend a 45-60 minute, 1:1, hospital appointment to prepare them, for receiving chemotherapy. This appointment could be better in assisting patients in understanding the treatment and side effects. Furthermore, many patients attend their appointments alone causing family members to feel dis-empowered and lacking in confidence and knowledge in how best to support and care for their loved one.
In response to the current pre-chemotherapy appointment, this research will, with patients and their family members who have already received chemotherapy, co-design a psychotherapeutic educational intervention. This intervention will prepare patients and their families, who have not yet received chemotherapy, for the treatment. The family based intervention will, in addition to information provision about cancer, chemotherapy and its side effects, assist patients and families in coping with the physical and emotional stressors relating to their cancer and enhance patient safety.
REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0158
Date of REC Opinion
13 Apr 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion