radioX
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Impact of radiographer immediate reporting of chest X-rays from general practice on the lung cancer pathway
IRAS ID
221968
Contact name
Nick Woznitza
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Canterbury Christ Church University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
When compared to other common cancers, lung cancer patients are less likely to survive their cancer. This is often due to a delay in the recognition of the condition and performance of the chest X-ray (CXR). Delayed diagnosis reduces treatment choices because the cancer may have spread further and the person may have become too ill for treatment to be given safely. It is hoped that by diagnosing lung cancer sooner this will help improve survival, help with patient satisfaction and potentially extend the range of treatment options, which are more limited in delayed diagnosis.
CXRs are often used when lung cancer is suspected, but there can be long delays for the results to be available to the patient and the GP. Radiographers traditionally take the X-ray, but they are reported by a radiologist, a medical specialist. Recent studies show that radiographers who have completed further training can report CXRs with similar accuracy to radiologists.
This project will help to reduce delays in diagnosis for lung cancer in two ways. First, a trial of immediate reporting of GP requested CXRs may help to reduce delays and allow further tests to be performed sooner. Second, it is hoped having quicker access to results will reduce the number of patients who need to see a specialist. This should both reduce specialist referrals and anxiety.
Based on previous work, so that patients have the best information about their care, and are able to make informed decisions, have constructed an information leaflet which will be distributed to general practitioners. This will be given to patients when they are referred for a CXR, explaining that further tests may be required, and some of the reasons for this. Hopefully this will help to reduce patient anxiety and give them insight into the pathway.REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0870
Date of REC Opinion
6 Jun 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion