Women's experiences of breast cancer follow-up care

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Optimising breast cancer follow-up care: a mixed methods study of supported discharge

• IRAS ID

  211483

• Contact name

  Lyndel Moore

• Contact email

  lyndel.moore-2016@brookes.acuk

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 6 months, 30 days

• Research summary

  Traditional cancer follow-up, where patients attend hospital outpatient clinics for several years after the end of treatment, offers limited clinical benefit. It also fails to adequately address aspects of supportive care that are considered important to the patient.
  The number of people living with cancer is expected to increase from 2 million to 4 million by 2030 [National Cancer Survivorship Initiative (NCSI), 2013]. This means the number of people requiring specialist care and support will increase through the cancer pathway. The NHS Five Year Forward Report (2014) and Achieving World Class cancer outcomes: taking the strategy forward (May 2016) acknowledge, the healthcare system cannot remain in status quo but needs new models of care to support service delivery.
  The NCSI in collaboration with NHS England and Macmillan reviewed follow up practice and made recommendations on the stratified cancer pathway. Two local hospitals have introduced supported discharge for women with breast cancer. Women are discharged from hospital six months following the end of treatment. Rapid access to the clinical service will be provided through a triage service for those with any clinical concerns.
  The overall aim of this study is to explore women’s experiences of supported discharge and to identify ways in which the provision of follow-up services can be optimized. How do women receiving supported early discharge describe their health, quality of life, levels of anxiety and depression, fear of recurrence, unmet needs, self-efficacy and satisfaction with care, and how does this change over time?

  This is a mixed methods design, divided in to 3 parts across 2 locations (a district general hospital and local cancer centre)
  
  Part A = Questionnaire with patients- baseline, 6 months and 12 months

  Part B = Interview with a sample of patients(up to 20) at 9 months

  Part C= Interviews with staff (oncologists, surgeons, breast nurse specialists)

• REC name

  South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  17/SC/0091

• Date of REC Opinion

  10 Mar 2017

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion