Advanced head and neck cancer: unmet needs and health service usage
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Living with advanced head and neck cancer: an exploratory qualitative study assessing experiences, unmet needs and health service usage
IRAS ID
221772
Contact name
Catriona R Mayland
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
What are the unmet needs and health service usage of advanced head and neck cancer: perceptions from patients, family carers and healthcare professionals?
Patients with advanced head and neck cancer and their families have especially complex needs. The cancer and treatment cause difficulties in speaking, breathing, eating, as well as pain, social isolation and low mood. Although the hope is to cure the cancer, with advanced disease there is a high risk this may not be possible or the disease will recur. Most patients wish to die at home but at least 4 out of 10 will die in hospital. Patients can be at risk of sudden bleeding or breathing problems. This has impact on individuals, families and where care can be provided.
We want to understand the experience of those living with advanced head and neck cancer. In particular, we want to know more about the challenges patients and their families face; as well as those faced by the doctors and nurses caring for them. Additionally, we want to understand how patients currently use health services; what issues and challenges arise; and whether there are ways to better meet their needs.
To do this, within Cheshire and Merseyside, we will undertake interviews with advanced head and neck cancer patients, their families, and doctors and nurses. Additionally, we will ask patients and their families to complete a questionnaire about their recent use of health services e.g. hospital admissions, attendance at out-patient clinics.This information will be used to inform an application for ‘Research for Patient Benefit’ funding. It will help describe the issues that most concern patients and their families. Also, it will help inform different ways to provide services and to care for head and neck cancer patients and how to assess if these changes make a difference.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0083
Date of REC Opinion
13 Feb 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion