V1, Exploring factors that influence hope in a palliative population
Research type
Research Study
Full title
What are the factors that influence hope in a palliative population in those with an uncertain prognosis and how do they develop over time?
IRAS ID
337998
Contact name
Peta Heslop
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
SCI0106
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
SCI0106, R and D, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
4 years, 5 months, 18 days
Research summary
The importance of providing personalised palliative and end of life care aligns with public and professional views. The concept of person-centred care is important at every stage of a person’s disease trajectory yet is more prominent in those with an uncertain prognosis. Hope acts a coping mechanism that gives purpose and meaning to individuals amid adverse experiences.
This study addresses a lack of studies exploring influential factors associated with hope in palliative patients who have an uncertain prognosis. The recognition of ‘Maximising comfort and wellbeing’ of patients and their caregivers is within the national framework, the ‘Ambitions for Palliative and End of Life Care 2021-2026’. This framework aligns with National Health Service (NHS) England’s aim to provide personalised palliative and end of life.
The aim of this project is to explore the factors that influence hope in those with a palliative diagnosis and an uncertain prognosis. To achieve this, we will talk to people with a cancer diagnosis about their experience of hope as part of a research interview, two interviews per participant shall be conducted. To aid the conversation a visual aid in the form of a written timeline shall be developed with the participants. Participants shall be >18 years, with a cancer diagnosis and a recent hospital admission, they will be identified by the hospital oncology and/or palliative care services at Northumbria NHS Foundation Trust. Interview data shall be analysed by a select team of healthcare professionals who will be seeking common themes regarding factors that influence hope. . It will be important to develop a deep understanding of how an individual’s views on hope are formed and as a result what factors have contributed to these perceptions overtime. We want to use this knowledge to help healthcare professionals better support patients at the end of life and encourage hope in a valuable way to patients and their caregivers.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/PR/1058
Date of REC Opinion
16 Oct 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion