OCTAVIA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimising Communication about Treatment escAlation during the coVId-19 pAndemic (OCTAVIA)
IRAS ID
283576
Contact name
Sabi Redwood
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bristol
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 0 days
Research summary
In the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant increase in the frequency of conversations about treatment escalation decisions between Health Care Professionals (HCPs) and patients, conversations already recognised to be very difficult. Currently, guidance to support staff to communicate about escalation decisions sensitively and effectively is based on sparse direct evidence. We will combine qualitative interview methods with an approach to analysing recorded healthcare conversations that already has a track record of producing practice-relevant findings, and of underpinning practice-changing guidance and training. Responding to the concerns of clinical colleagues, findings will be used to inform the development of flexible guidance and training materials to reflect the COVID-19 pandemic context and provide support to HCPs to conduct these conversations in the most sensitive and compassionate ways possible in these extremely challenging circumstances.
HCPs need to speak to patients and family members about whether critical care interventions are appropriate and/or likely to be effective. For our study, the HCPs undertaking these conversations will seek consent to audio-record these conversations with patients, using digital recording devices in accordance with COVID-19 infection control regulations. We also plan to interview HCPs prior to the audio-recording of their interactions with patients to elicit their previous experience of conducting such conversations, how they have adapted their practice in the new COVID-19 context and their reflections of their learning since the outbreak. These approaches have been designed in consultation with clinical colleagues.
The analysis will focus common challenges and identifying and characterising behaviours, practices, words, tone of voice that they use to circumvent/manage/limit them to show compassion and empathy. Analysis will be rapid and early findings will be shared with clinical and academic study stakeholders and partners. Recommendations will be widely shared using AHSN and NIHR ARC networks.REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/HRA/2650
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion