Injectable Medication Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Injectable Medication Study
IRAS ID
327957
Contact name
Ben Bowers
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 12 days
Research summary
When death is foreseen, injectable medications are routinely prescribed and used by visiting clinicians to manage painful and distressing symptoms at the end of life. However, injectable end-of-life symptom control medication care at home can be used inadequately, or inappropriately, contributing to avoidable suffering or patient harms. Two recent UK public inquiries have raised serious concerns about the mismanagement of injectable medications.
This study aims to understand the human and system factors involved in the safe, effective and timely use of injectable end-of-life symptom control medications for adults dying at home. Human and system factors include the abilities, knowledge, actions and interactions among stakeholders, processes and the wider system they work within. We will identify with patients, family caregivers, clinicians and members of healthcare teams where and how systems for using injectable medications can be improved.
We will do this through qualitative research involving two successive stages, involving patients prescribed injectable medications, their family caregivers (family and friends) and healthcare teams:
Stage 1. Sixteen patient-centred case studies exploring the views, experiences and interactions of patients prescribed medications, their family caregivers and clinicians, over time. The follow-up period will be 2-6 months and patients and family caregivers may take part in 1 to 3 interviews. Clinicians will take part in a one-off interview.
Stage 2. Six focus groups with patients, family caregivers and members of healthcare teams, further exploring views and experiences, along with key issues identified in Stage 1. This will generate further knowledge of systems for using medications and how these can be improved. Participants will take part in a one-off focus group.
Outputs: Findings will be disseminated via scientific publications, conferences and targeted online briefings and videos for researcher, clinician and policy maker communities.
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/LO/0984
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jan 2024
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion