Everyday life with a Fontan circulation

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Everyday life with a Fontan circulation: understanding the lived experiences of adults in their 20s and 30s

  • IRAS ID

    316738

  • Contact name

    Nigel Drury

  • Contact email

    n.e.drury@bham.ac.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    University of Birmingham

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    1 years, 8 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    Little is known about the quality of life and experience of daily life in adults living with a Fontan circulation, a treatment for patients who are born with a heart that has only one rather than two functioning pumping chambers. In this study, we will conduct interviews with adults aged 20-39 living with a Fontan circulation in the UK to explore their lived experiences. Specifically, we will look to understand their meaning of quality of life, what limitations and/or struggles they experience in everyday life, and what customised social and clinical support they require or would like to receive. A focus group will be conducted to inform the direction of the interviews, which will be conducted via Zoom, transcribed, and analysed. By understanding how living with a Fontan circulation affects patients during adulthood, both physically and mentally, we will add to the limited literature in this area and improve the design and conduct of future clinical trial interventions.

  • REC name

    London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    22/LO/0853

  • Date of REC Opinion

    9 Dec 2022

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion