(VTC-Exp) Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Venous Thromboembolism in Cancer Patients: Patients’ Experiences
IRAS ID
256564
Contact name
Deepak Parashar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Warwick
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 20 days
Research summary
Background: Blood clots in veins, called venous thromboembolism (or VTE) are a common and preventable complication for many cancer patients. VTE may be life-threatening. Patients are not regularly educated about the risk or warning symptoms/signs of blood clots. Whilst the prevention and treatment of clots with blood thinners called anticoagulants in the cancer population is well-researched, the patients’ understanding of the risk of clotting and how to communicate this, require more attention.
Our study, called Venous Thromboembolism in Cancer: Patients’ Experiences (VTC-Exp), aims to explore cancer patients’ understanding of risk of developing clots from their experience of having had cancer and related treatments.
Methods: Around 20 patients and 20 Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) will be invited to participate in face-to-face or telephone ‘semi-structured’ interviews in this study, to be carried out at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire and Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The patients will either receive an email containing an invitation letter from one of their healthcare team or be approached directly by their clinicians. The HCPs will be invited by the researcher, via their oncology or surgical managers.
Analysis: Thematic analysis of the data will be undertaken, utilising a computer system called NVIVO. That is, the researcher will look at the interview data to gain insights into participants’ views and understandings of risk of clotting. This will involve the researcher re-reading interview transcripts to get to know the data. Key quotes from the interviews will be highlighted, coded, and then built into larger themes representing the data.
Potential Benefit: Through the findings of VTC-Exp, we will strive to raise awareness of cancer-associated thrombosis with patients, surgeons, oncologists, nurses, and other cancer team members to enhance patients’ understanding of the risk of developing clots. This will improve communication, achieve earlier diagnosis and treatment of clots, ultimately to save lives.REC name
London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0940
Date of REC Opinion
31 May 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion