The ACUTE Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The ACUTE study. Improving Support for Acute Oncology Patients: A Mixed Methods Study with Patients and Healthcare Professionals
IRAS ID
357114
Contact name
Lucy McGeagh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford Brookes University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 4 months, 10 days
Research summary
Acute hospital care means short-term treatment for serious or urgent health problems. People with cancer may need this care when cancer is first suspected, when cancer treatment causes sudden side effects, when their cancer gets worse, or when another urgent health problem happens at the same time. Sometimes, cancer is only found when someone is in the hospital for a different urgent problem. These patients may be looked after by expert healthcare professionals in a field called Acute Oncology.
We do not know much about what these acute hospital experiences are like for cancer patients, or for the healthcare staff who care for them. This study will talk to patients and staff to learn what matters most and how care could be improved.
We will interview 20 to 30 adult patients who needed urgent hospital care because of cancer. We will also interview 20 healthcare workers who care for these patients. By hearing their stories, we will learn about their challenges and experiences. Most patients will come from a large hospital. If needed, more patients may join from charities or online groups. A smaller group of patients, such as those who found out they had cancer during an emergency visit, will have their stories looked at more closely.
After the interviews, we will make a survey. About 100 healthcare professionals who work with acute cancer patients in the UK will be asked which possible changes to services are most realistic and useful. The aim is to find practical ideas to help support cancer patients who need acute hospital care.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/YH/0015
Date of REC Opinion
16 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion