Building an Advice and Information System for Patients in Scotland
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cancer Survivorship: The Patient Journey, Work & Working Life Building an Advice & Information System for Urological Cancer Patients in Scotland (Scot-PAIS)
IRAS ID
134203
Contact name
Sara Maclennan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen
Research summary
Work is an important aspect of an individual’s life and it is important that this is given appropriate consideration when faced with a diagnosis of cancer.
Cancer survivors are 1.4 times more likely to be unemployed than healthy people. Patients often regard returning to work as a symbol of complete recovery and of regaining a normal life. Furthermore, loss of work related to cancer diagnosis, treatment or subsequent care is a potential source of both psychosocial and economic stress and can be a threat to mental health. At the same time, it has been suggested that continuing in work or returning to work may mitigate the negative psychosocial and economic effects of treatment.
This study aims to develop a new advice and information system for urological cancer patients in Scotland, focusing on work and working lift (Scot-PAIS). The development of this new system will complement the existing provision of support through UCAN (Urological Cancer Charity) and Macmillan.
Through Scot-PAIS, we propose that patients and their families will be better supported throughout their journey of care and be provided with the skills for self-management throughout their cancer trajectory. This system will also aim to support work organisations and healthcare providers to effectively support cancer patients returning to work either during, or after treatment.
By conducting focus groups with urological cancer patients in NHS Grampian, interviews with staff from large workplace organisations in Aberdeen and interviews healthcare providers in NHS Grampian, we will explore the challenges and benefits of returning to work for cancer patients. From this information, we will develop an online Delphi survey which will be completed by people within these stakeholder groups.
Combining these sets of data will allow us to develop the new Scot-PAIS system, which will then be piloted through a series of workshops.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
13/NS/0095
Date of REC Opinion
5 Sep 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion