Understanding the unmet needs of patients with benign brain tumours.

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Understanding the unmet needs of patients with benign brain tumours.

• IRAS ID

  130884

• Contact name

  Alison Leary

• Contact email

  learya@lsbu.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  lsbu

• Research summary

  This study will explore the unmet needs of patients with four different types of non-malignant brain tumour, Meningioma, Vestibular Schwannoma, (Acoustic neuroma), Craniopharyngioma and Pituitary Adenoma, at three significant time points in their disease pathway. These points are, the pre- operative phase, which will also include time of initial diagnosis, the post- operative phase and up to two months after surgery and the long term phase, from six months onwards. The aim of the study is to ascertain the unmet needs of this patient population, concentrating on four domains devised from reviewing previous literature; the need for information; the need for psychological and emotional support; the need to detect and relieve symptom distress and the need for co- ordination and continuity of care.
  The idea for the research question was derived from the author observing the lack of follow up and support this group of patients received, compared to those with a malignant brain tumour diagnosis.Wong et al 2011)reports a contrast in support between patients with a brain cancer to those with a benign tumour.Due to current staff configuration the current clinical nurse specialist is unable to offer a service to this client group. Investigation is required to establish if they do have needs that are not being dealt with, whether the same level of supportive care is necessary for these patients and if it varies according to the type of tumour they have. A survey will be conducted using a questionnaire with aspects of both quantitative and qualitative question design. 300 randomly selected questionnaires will be distributed by mail to a convenience sample of patients who have been referred to one acute Trust, with a confirmed diagnosis of benign brain tumour. The patients will have undergone surgery for their tumour from the beginning of 2010 to the end of 2012 and known to a list of 8 neurosurgeons in the same regional neurosurgical unit

• REC name

  London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  13/LO/0858

• Date of REC Opinion

  1 Aug 2013

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion