ACCESSA

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    ACCESSA - Access to palliative care by ethnic minorities, with a focus on South Asian communities

  • IRAS ID

    295303

  • Contact name

    Gemma Clarke

  • Contact email

    g.c.clarke@leeds.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Leeds

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 1 months, 27 days

  • Research summary

    Palliative care provides patients with pain and symptom relief. Getting access to palliative care is associated with good quality end of life care. However, some studies have shown that those from ethnic minority groups may not get the same access to these services, and there is little research focused on South Asians communities in the UK. British South Asians are diverse and represent many different cultures, religions and languages. This study will investigate a range of different palliative care experiences through the use of personal stories. There are two sites: Yorkshire and the Midlands. The study will involve (1) interviews, and (2) focus groups. Research may take place online, via telephone or in person (COVID restrictions dependent).

    (1) The interviews will use “narrative inquiry”. Narrative inquiry looks at the ways people use stories to make sense of their lives and experiences. This study will examine how participants make sense of progressing illness and healthcare services, ways to improve access to palliative care access. Around 30 participants will be interviewed. The people selected will be: South Asian ethnicity; patients with advanced disease or serious illness, relatives of patients, or members of the public with experiences of these diseases.

    (2) Four focus groups will be undertaken with healthcare professionals, patients and relatives. Around 6-8 participants will take part in each group, separate groups for healthcare professionals, and patients/relatives. The focus groups will discuss the findings from the interviews, and seek to find solutions.

    The results of this study will be shared onto healthcare professionals and the public. The results will improve access to palliative care services for British South Asians.

  • REC name

    Wales REC 4

  • REC reference

    21/WA/0188

  • Date of REC Opinion

    9 Jul 2021

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion