OPAC
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimising the treatment experience of patients with stage III or IV melanoma and their carers by identifying barriers and coping strategies: A qualitative approach
IRAS ID
206235
Contact name
Janine Smedley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
\nThe overall study objective is to understand the experience of patients receiving treatment for advanced melanoma and their carers to improve management of side effects. \nAims: \n1- Explore the experience of patients receiving treatment for advanced melanoma and their carers, increasing the evidence base for healthcare professionals. \n2- Identify challenges experienced by patients and carers that may prevent optimal treatment. \n3- Identify coping strategies used by patients and carers during treatment. \nData will be collected from patients and their carers to gain an understanding of their needs and coping strategies using semi-structured interviews.\nA qualitative design will be used to collect data from 20 patients and their carers using semi-structured interviews. Interviews with open-ended questions will be undertaken with patients and carers after 3 months of treatment or upon completion to allow the full patient and carer experience to be captured. Treatment, side effects and response details will be collected from patient notes to describe the participants. A qualitative method of content analysis will be used with grounded theory approach to describe emerging themes within the data to enable analysis and identify similarities and/or differences. \nThe findings will enable the development of theory to inform resources such as information for patients, carers and healthcare professionals. This will lead to improvement of patients’ experience by contributing to the evidence for resources where most needed. An improved treatment experience for melanoma can then be achieved through the minimisation of side effects and other challenges faced by patients.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
16/NS/0088
Date of REC Opinion
9 Aug 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion