The OAT Study V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
From symptom onset to treatment initiation: A mixed methods study of Older Adults with Tuberculosis (OAT)
IRAS ID
287971
Contact name
Kate Seers
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Warwick
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 30 days
Research summary
The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of older adults with tuberculosis (TB) using narrative inquiry and a case note review. TB is an infectious disease which affects many parts of the body. Delays in treatment can lead to more severe disease, more deaths, increased spread of the disease and worse health care experiences. Even though the number of cases of TB in England is decreasing, there is no improvement in how long people are waiting for treatment. Most of this delay happens before people are seen in hospital. We don’t yet know how long is too long to wait between symptoms starting and treatment beginning. Adults aged 65 years or older are affected by treatment delay more often than those who are younger. Previous research in this subject has not included many people from this age group, so we do not understand when and why older adults choose to see a doctor and how they feel if treatment is delayed. We also don’t understand when and why health care professionals consider TB to be a possible diagnosis.
In this study we will speak to 24 adults with TB, aged 65 years or older, who live in the West Midlands (12 who speak English, 12 who speak Urdu or Punjabi) and ask them to tell us their TB story. Translators will be used where needed. We will also look at the primary care medical records for the same patients and extract information about their TB journey. We will analyse the stories and extracts to learn from participants’ experiences and, via their medical notes, begin to explore the perspective of the health care professionals involved in their care. This will help us to understand, define and contribute to reductions in treatment delay.
REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/PR/0357
Date of REC Opinion
4 Apr 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion