Cancer Needs Assessment in Primary Care (CANAssess:PC)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A cluster randomised feasibility trial (cRCT) to test the routine use of the NAT:PD-C in primary care to reduce unmet cancer patient and caregiver need and determine the feasibility of a definitive trial
IRAS ID
221366
Contact name
Miriam Johnson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hull
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 2 months, 30 days
Research summary
People with cancer need access to palliative care to relieve distressing symptoms and other concerns; some get better access than others. We have adapted a form to help general practice (GP) doctors and nurses identify and manage the concerns of patients and family caregivers (the Needs Assessment Tool:Progressive Disease-Cancer [NAT:PD-C].
The NAT:PD-C now needs to be tested in a large trial to see if regular use improves patient care. However, we do not know whether this is possible; in this study, we will test whether a large trial is feasible.
We will train doctors and nurses from four GP practices to use the NAT:PD-C. Practices will be allocated by chance (randomised) to one of two methods of arranging patient appointments. Patients from two practices will be invited to arrange a cancer review appointment with the clinician of their choice. Those from the other two practices will be invited to arrange the appointment with a clinician who attended NAT:PD-C training. We aim to recruit 40-60 patients where the aim of cancer treatment is to improve symptoms and quality of life rather than cure. If they have a main caregiver, they will also be invited to participate.
We will measure the number of: patients and caregivers recruited and study questionnaires completed; NAT:PD-C guided appointments and how quickly appointments were arranged. Participants will complete questionnaires about their symptoms and quality of life (patients) and strain/burden (caregivers) at the beginning of the study and again at 1, 3 and 6 months.
GP practice staff and palliative care specialists will be invited to take part in an interview or a focus group to ask their views on the NAT:PD-C training and whether and how the NAT:PD-C could be used in everyday practice. Some patients/caregivers will also be interviewed to explore views on the study procedures.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/YH/0141
Date of REC Opinion
23 May 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion