Recognising suffering at the end of life

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  A qualitative exploration of healthcare professionals' recognition of suffering in patients at the end of life in the acute hospital setting

• IRAS ID

  149773

• Contact name

  Laura Green

• Contact email

  Laura.Green@bartshealth.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  University of Bradford

• Duration of Study in the UK

  0 years, 8 months, 29 days

• Research summary

  This study will explore how individuals in a hospital healthcare team recognise the suffering of patients at the end of life.

  Aims
  - to gain insight into how the suffering of patients at the end of life is perceived and constructed by healthcare professionals
  - to increase understanding of the influences on healthcare professionals’ recognition of suffering

  The study will take place on an acute medical ward that cares for a significant proportion of patients who have been identified as being in the last months of life.

  PHASE 1
  The research will involve 2 weeks of observation of clinical practice, during which time aspects of care provided by the healthcare team will be documented. The researcher will mainly be an observer, occasionally supporting staff in providing care in order to obtain close, first-hand observations without being too intrusive, and to support the development of working relations between staff and the researcher.

  Following the initial period of 2 weeks observing the whole ward and and becoming accustomed to its routine, up to 10 patients will be selected for in-depth case study observation in Phase 2.

  PHASE 2
  Up to 10 patients will be selected for closer observation over the second 2 weeks of the study. In this phase, the behaviour, language and actions of healthcare staff will be closely observed.

  Observation notes from phases 1 & 2 will then be used to develop a fictional "vignette", or case study, to be used in Phase 3.

  PHASE 3
  Up to 15 "Think Aloud" interviews will take place with selected members of staff from the team. In these, participants will be asked to "think out loud" while reading an anonymised case study, developed from phases 1 and 2.

  Interviews will be audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and these, along with the observation field notes, will be analysed for themes.

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  14/YH/1208

• Date of REC Opinion

  30 Jan 2015

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion