REAP-CCC
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Reducing Emergency Admissions for Patients with Cancer Complications and/or Co-morbidities (REAP- CCC)
IRAS ID
280642
Contact name
Lynda Appleton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
In recent years, there has been an increase in emergency admissions to hospital for people with suspected or an existing cancer. We have termed patients with a known cancer whose cancer progresses, or with complications requiring emergency admission to hospital, as type 3. This is to distinguish from type 1 presentation (emergency admission leading to a cancer diagnosis) and type 2 presentation (emergency admission due to complications from cancer treatment). Complications among cancer patients with type 3 presentation might include the presence of blood clots, or arise because of other illnesses that are unrelated to their cancer, such as stroke. We want to improve our understanding of why cancer patients with type 3 presentation attend the hospital emergency department and why they may require admission to hospital. We are keen to find out if patients might have been able to stay at home if there had been different or additional services available to them.
By interviewing patients, informal carers and healthcare professionals we will gain an understanding of their circumstances, including any medical, social, psychological and practical issues they may face, in addition to their suggestions to improve services. This will help us to make recommendations for positive changes in the way care and treatment are organised and offered to people affected by cancer, for example, ensuring support is made available earlier in the patient’s pathway.
We will also seek to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on patients' decision-making in relation to emergency department attendance for cancer complications and other health conditions. We will also ask healthcare professionals for their experiences of offering care to cancer patients with type 3 presentation during the COVID-19 pandemic and what we can learn for the delivery of future clinical care.
REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
20/WA/0293
Date of REC Opinion
24 Nov 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion