Qualitative study of patients attending perioperative allergy clinic
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding the views, perspectives and behaviours of patients with suspected perioperative allergy: a qualitative study of patients referred to and attending the perioperative allergy clinic
IRAS ID
324837
Contact name
Louise Savic
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Research and Innovation Centre
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Patients who suffer suspected allergic reactions under anaesthetic are referred to a specialist allergy clinic for investigation. Here, they undergo testing which aims to determine whether their reaction was due to allergy or to something else, and also determines which drugs can safely be used for future surgery. The patients have typically received only minimal information about what happened or cannot remember the information as it was given whilst they were still recovering from the effects of their anaesthetic. They are often unsure why they have come to the clinic and what to expect from it.
The allergy testing patients undergo in the clinic is complex. Multiple different drugs are used during an anaesthetic and the patient requires testing for all of these. Limitations in the available tests available mean that it can sometimes be difficult to make a confident diagnosis about the cause of the reaction and this can lead to uncertainty about whether future anaesthesia is possible and safe. These uncertainties can impact negatively on the patient's view on the safety of future healthcare.
Anecdotal experience from our clinic, supported by the results of national project conducted by the Royal College of Anaesthetists in 2018, suggest that patients find the experience of suffering a suspected allergic reaction and being investigated for this stressful and confusing. This can lead to long term anxiety about their allergy status as well as avoidance of future surgery.
By talking to patients both before and after their clinic appointment, we hope to better understand their views, knowledge and behaviours around allergy in the context of surgery and anaesthesia. This will help to inform the future development of co-designed patient information leaflets, videos and other resources which will help prepare patients for their clinic appointment and make sense of their allergy diagnosis.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NE/0058
Date of REC Opinion
30 Mar 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion