Exploration of fatigue in advanced cancer and CHF - 01
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A mixed methods study exploring patients and doctors’ attitudes to fatigue in advanced cancer and chronic heart failure and how they communicate this symptom
IRAS ID
123756
Contact name
John Curtin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Oxford Brookes University
Research summary
Fatigue can be the most common and most distressing symptom reported by patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and cancer, yet some studies have found that most patients do not appear to mention fatigue to their doctor unless prompted to do so. Reasons for this are unclear. A few studies suggest that most doctors seem to be aware of fatigue and feel it is undertreated. However, some patients feel that their doctor does not ask about it or offer any treatment for fatigue. It is uncertain what really happens within the interaction between a patient and a doctor (i.e. consultation). Observing consultations (patient-doctor interactions) and talking to patients and doctors will help to understand what is really going on here.
This study will aim to gain an in-depth understanding of patients and doctors’ attitudes to fatigue in cancer and heart failure and how they communicate this symptom. The study will be divided in to three parts: 1) the observation of a routine consultation, 2) interviews with patients and 3) interviews with doctors.
Firstly we will ask doctors and patients in cancer and heart failure clinics for permission to video and audio-record their appointments in order to discover if and how fatigue might be discussed. The observational study will take place in a number of NHS Trust hospitals and we do not require changes to any patients’ usual care. Following this we will interview patients with fatigue to explore their experience of fatigue and to reflect on how they communicate the symptom. Separately we will interview specialist doctors to explore their beliefs and attitudes towards fatigue.
This will be the first detailed study exploring and analysing these issues, in relation to fatigue. Overall the findings from this study may help in the assessment and management of fatigue.
(296 words)REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/1185
Date of REC Opinion
15 Sep 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion