Qualitative study patient & physician experiences Botox COVID V.1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative research study into patient, carer and physician experiences of spasticity management via Botulinum Toxin treatment during and post COVID-19 pandemic. Perceptions, opportunities and barriers
IRAS ID
306570
Contact name
Mohamed Sakel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
During the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent series of Lockdowns, clinic out-patient spasticity services were replaced with video based tele-consultation appointments, in order to reduce the potential risk of virus transmission between patients and clinicians in either direction. This meant that for an extensive period of time, this treatment could not be offered, and like many other specialist services, this resulted in a backlog of case referrals and an extensive clinic waiting list, where patient appointments and referrals were delayed by the pandemic.
There have been discussions in many professional network forums that have suggested that the necessary changes to appointments during the pandemic may have contributed to a build-up of pain and disability for patients who were unable to access spasticity management treatment when they needed it.This research aims to gain insight and understanding of the individual experiences and perceptions of patients, carers and a physician who have been involved in spasticity treatment out-patient service clinics during and post COVID 19 pandemic. To do this, a qualitative research approach has been adopted and a group of 10 potential participants along with one consultant physician will be invited to participate in the study. So the total number is 11 participants.
Participants will be provided with information on the research (Participant Information Sheet) and asked to provide written informed consent (Consent Form) in order to take part.
After providing consent, the participant will be interviewed via telephone. Data will be analysed using a thematic approach by the research team to identify the challenges, opportunities and barriers that may have been encountered during the pandemic and post pandemic period. All participants will be provided with a debrief document.REC name
London - West London & GTAC Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/1386
Date of REC Opinion
13 Dec 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion