COVID-19 NHS Oncology Wellbeing [COVID-19]
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The COVID-19 work ability and wellbeing NHS Oncology workforce study
IRAS ID
284354
Contact name
Susana Banerjee
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
COVID-19 has forced oncology healthcare professionals to face professional and personal challenges which are unprecedented. Oncologists are needing to change routine cancer care decisions for patients and there is anxiety around potentially compromising cancer outcomes. Oncologists are also taking on new tasks eg managing unwell patients in emergency setting with COVID-19. In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the need to understand wellbeing, burnout and coping strategies during the pandemic is critical. In this study, we aim to evaluate how NHS staff looking after cancer patients are affected by these challenges by assessing burnout, resilience and wellbeing. This is a unique opportunity to address the impact of COVID-19 in the UK oncology workforce in the acute COVID-19 situation and longer term impact (post COVID-19). We will achieve this in 2 parts: 1. Inviting NHS staff looking after cancer patients (multidisciplinary- including oncologists, nurses, surgeons, palliative care, Allied Health Care Professionals, dieticians, pharmacists, research teams, trainees) to complete online surveys. The surveys will be focus on the reaction to COVID-19 related practical issues, assess wellbeing, burnout and coping ‘resilience’ strategies. 3 surveys are planned: 1 during COVID-19 (aim within next 3-4 weeks), 3 months and 6 months later. The aim is to understand the needs of the oncology workforce in the NHS to help further develop immediate and longer term support measures. 2. Focused, semi-structured interviews of staff involved in treating cancer patients over the COVID-19 period (during, 3 months and 6 months after). The interviews will be around 30 minutes carried out by researchers. The interviews will attempt to capture four main areas: a) how COVID-19 has influenced oncology decision making and provision of care to patients; b) staff coping and provision of support; c) interactions with patients; d) what would help staff during the pandemic.
REC name
N/A
REC reference
N/A