RAPHAEL_Feasibility (WP4). Version 1.0.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility of implementing a palliative care model for patients with heart failure
IRAS ID
366658
Contact name
Amitava Banerjee
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Utrecht
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 4 days
Research summary
Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life (QoL) and quality of dying (QoD) for patients with life-limiting illnesses, such as heart failure (HF). Although patients with HF face symptoms and concerns largely similar to those of cancer patients, access to palliative care remains limited, with only 5% receiving it. The lack of planning and reactive approach exacerbates the burden on patients and caregivers. The RAPHAEL consortium aims to address this issue by designing an intervention to integrate palliative reasoning via remote symptom monitoring into HF care across Europe, with the aim of improving QoL and QoD, reducing hospitalizations, and ensuring equitable access to palliative care. Symptoms will be monitored through a digital questionnaire. Prior to a full-scale evaluation (randomised controlled study), we need to ensure the intervention implementation and planned research procedures fit the local context. The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the RAPHAEL intervention in a randomised trial approach across sites and countries. In the UK, participants will include 5 patients living at home with HF and worsening symptoms and/or palliative care needs, and their informal carers (up to 5), and 2 healthcare professionals. We will recruit participants via clinics at two London hospitals and professional networks. Patients and carers will be invited to use the digital questionnaire (via an app or website) to report relevant symptoms and concerns. The information will be organized into a dashboard. Healthcare professionals will review the information. The intervention will be completed at least once for each patient. We will assess the acceptability of the intervention, the burden for patients and their carers, and the demand from healthcare professionals. We will also conduct qualitative interviews to understand participants' experiences and perspectives. This research is funded by the EU/Horizon Europe.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/NW/0067
Date of REC Opinion
5 May 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion