ACCESSCare Project
Research type
Research Study
Full title
ACCESSCare Project: Advanced Cancer Care Equality Strategy for Sexual Minorities
IRAS ID
154981
Contact name
Richard Harding
Contact email
Research summary
An important part of delivering high quality end of life care is to ensure equity, in access and delivery, for all. People who identify as LGB and/or T (lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgendered) have higher likelihood of developing life-limiting disease due to risk behaviours linked to experience of discrimination, as well as higher risks of some cancers.
Evidence suggests that some health care professionals (HCPs) discriminate on the basis of sexual or gender identity. An important consideration for end-of-life care is the patient’s family structure, which may be not disclosed through fear of discrimination, or recognised by birth families in decision-making.
This project aims to develop and disseminate evidence-based mass media resources with the LGB and/or T communities to increase demand for, and supply of, appropriate end of life care through development of training resources for HCPs.
We will interview people who identify as LGB and/or T to explore their experiences of care in the context of life limiting illness, particularly experiences of: communication, preferences and priorities, strategies of disclosure, care environments and services, and optimal content and format of resources for LGB and/or T individuals with advanced disease.
Evidence from the literature and the interviews will be used to develop materials for LGB and/or T individuals and communities, and education materials for HCPs. Patient and community resources will be disseminated through: LGB and/or T media; Department of Health LGB and/or T partner organisations; social media; and patient information and support centres.
The new HCP training programmes will be delivered through: Cancer Research UK; Marie Curie; Department of Health; St Christopher’s, St Joseph’s and Trinity Hospice; the National Council for Palliative Care; Cancer Networks; and the Sobell Study Centre (Oxford) courses.
Findings from this study will also be disseminated in journal publications, at conferences and through social media.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1148
Date of REC Opinion
11 Aug 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion