SPARC feasibility study Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility of using a Structured Personalised Assessment for Reviews after Cancer (SPARC) in primary care
IRAS ID
359802
Contact name
Rosalind Adam
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 20 days
Research summary
More people are living with and beyond cancer than ever before. People experience unmet needs after cancer, which can persist for many years after completion of curative treatment. International guidelines suggest that people living with and beyond cancer should be offered regular clinical review.
Our earlier research with patients and clinicians has shown that people feel abandoned after hospital discharge. Patients would like primary care to play more of a role in cancer survivorship care. However, people living with/beyond cancer are not routinely reviewed in primary care and cancer is not considered during chronic disease management in primary care.
We have co-designed a structured template, the Structured Personalised Assessment for Reviews after Cancer (SPARC) that could be used in primary care to perform brief cancer reviews. SPARC is not currently part of routine care (however, some other structured cancer templates are currently in use in the NHS). The template could be used on its own or as part of other chronic disease management reviews. The template allows patients to answer questions relating to their general health and about cancer-specific issues (e.g. screening uptake, symptoms such as fatigue/pain).
The aim of this study is to test the feasibility of using SPARC to conduct cancer reviews in primary care.
This study will recruit between five and 10 Scottish general practices to test SPARC. At least one clinician will be recruited from each practice. Approximately 50 patients will be recruited from these practices to test the SPARC questions. SPARC questions will be delivered via existing practice information technology systems or on paper.
Case note review will be performed for patients who return the SPARC questions. Approximately 15 patients and 15 clinicians who used SPARC will be invited to participate in an interview to understand feasibility issues relating to SPARC and to feedback on content.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/YH/0246
Date of REC Opinion
11 Nov 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion