The USP Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring and Understanding the Scope and value of the Parkinson’s nurse in the UK
IRAS ID
259185
Contact name
Sarah Brown
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
NHCT 0084 ,
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Parkinson’s Disease is the second most common neurodegenerative condition in the UK, affecting around 145,519 people. Most of their care can be provided by a Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialist, however, over recent years nurses with other specialist interests (e.g. neurology nurses) have been introduced in some areas to support people with Parkinson’s. There is little published evidence to demonstrate the scope, value and efficiency of all specialist nurses working in the field of Parkinson’s. This study aims to evaluate the role of the specialist nurse working in the field of Parkinson’s, within the UK, thus filling this gap in knowledge.
National online surveys will be developed for people with Parkinson's, their family members/carers and specialist nurses working in the field of Parkinson's. Following the survey, up to 15 specialist nurses will be invited to participate in either face to face or telephone semi-structured interviews to explore and understand their perceptions of their role and activities. Additionally, semi-structured interviews will be conducted with up to 15 people with Parkinson's and 10 carers to further explore the issues as identified by the national survey.
Data from the survey and semi-structured interviews will allow us to examine the impact of the specialist nurse, and an economic evaluation will determine the most efficient service delivery model of the specialist nurse. The findings will have the potential to be relevant to the NHS, Parkinson’s UK, people with Parkinson's and their families to inform future practice and processes.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EE/0254
Date of REC Opinion
22 Aug 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion