Tinnitus patients identifying key elements of a tinnitus service.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Using grounded theory to explore what tinnitus patients would identify as the key elements of a patient - centred service delivered by NHS audiology departments.
IRAS ID
183086
Contact name
Amanda Casey
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 29 days
Research summary
The study aims to explore whether a gap exists between perceived and expected clinical service amongst tinnitus patients in an NHS audiology department. Current tinnitus studies have not established whether the available treatment options are patient- centred and have not shown evidence that patient’s benefit from the way they are assessed and treated. Due to the diverse nature of patient needs and personalities, it is clear we have not touched on exactly what it means to provide a patient- centred service. The study looks to engage current tinnitus patients, from an NHS audiology department. Patients will be recruited via letters, along with an information sheet about the research to be carried out. A stamped addressed envelope will be included, so should patients wish to participate, a return slip can be posted back. The researcher will purposefully select a wide range of interested participants to represent a variation in age, socio-economic status, location and experience of tinnitus service. Open- ended interviews, using an interview guide for prompts, will be conducted to explore patients experience of the tinnitus service they have received or expect to receive. We will also gauge from the interviews patients expectations and views regarding a key elements of a tinnitus service. Interviews will take place at patients' homes, to enable them to feel as secure as possible to relay their true account of their experience. Safety precautions will be taken by the researcher, by using a lone-worker device, SkyGuard, a personal safety device connected to emergency services. The interviews will be digitally recorded and then transcribed using a external transcription company. This will then be analysed to formulate themes and concepts. From these concepts theories will be formulated that identify what a patient -centred tinnitus service may involve, which potentially could be tested in later studies.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1489
Date of REC Opinion
9 Sep 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion