A single centre service evaluation of patients’ experiences participating in radiotherapy clinical trials during and post COVID-19 in Northern Ireland, UK

IF 2.5 Q2 RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING Radiography Pub Date : 2024-08-01 DOI:10.1016/j.radi.2024.06.014

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Abstract

Introduction

Radiotherapy (RT) clinical trials allow patients to access cutting-edge innovative cancer treatments. Clinical Research Therapy Radiographers (CRRs) play an important role in the management and care of RT trial patients. The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruption to RT trial delivery. Measures to mitigate COVID-19 risk continue to have an effect on patient contact and communication within cancer centres in the United Kingdom (UK). This study aimed to explore patient perspectives regarding their recent RT trial experience in Northern Ireland (NI), UK.

Methods

A single centre service evaluation was conducted in NI. Patients who were recruited into a RT clinical trial from January 2020 to January 2023 were invited to participate. Surveys were posted to 50 participants in April 2023. Quantitative and qualitative data was captured and analysed using descriptive statistics and Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis framework respectively. Ethical approval was obtained through Ulster University and the NHS Trust.

Results

Forty-three of the 50 invited participants responded (86%). Forty-two respondents (79%) had a prostate cancer diagnosis. Forty-one (98%) participants indicated that CRRs were always approachable, polite and courteous and would recommend taking part in a RT trial to friends and family. Identified areas for improvement included aspects regarding consent and participant decision-making.

Conclusion

This study suggests that despite the implemented measures to suspend research and mitigate COVID-19 risk, patients remained highly satisfied with the quality of care that they received through their participation in RT trials.

Implications for practice

The results of this service evaluation will facilitate maintenance and improvement of patient focused delivery of cancer trials within the host centre. This study builds on evidence highlighting the importance of the CRR role and role development for radiographers.

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对英国北爱尔兰 COVID-19 期间和之后患者参与放疗临床试验的经历进行单中心服务评估。

简介：放疗（RT）临床试验使患者能够获得最先进的创新癌症治疗方法。临床研究治疗放射技师（CRR）在管理和护理 RT 试验患者方面发挥着重要作用。COVID-19 大流行对 RT 试验的实施造成了严重破坏。为降低 COVID-19 风险而采取的措施继续影响着英国癌症中心与患者的接触和交流。本研究旨在探讨英国北爱尔兰（NI）患者对近期 RT 试验体验的看法：方法：在北爱尔兰开展了一项单一中心服务评估。邀请 2020 年 1 月至 2023 年 1 月期间被招募参加 RT 临床试验的患者参与。2023 年 4 月向 50 名参与者发放了调查问卷。采用描述性统计和布劳恩与克拉克的六步主题分析框架分别对定量和定性数据进行了采集和分析。阿尔斯特大学和英国国家医疗服务系统信托基金已获得伦理批准：在 50 位受邀参与者中，有 43 位（86%）做出了回应。42名受访者（79%）确诊患有前列腺癌。41名参与者（98%）表示，CRR总是平易近人、彬彬有礼，并会向朋友和家人推荐参加 RT 试验。需要改进的方面包括有关同意和参与者决策的方面：本研究表明，尽管采取了暂停研究和降低 COVID-19 风险的措施，但患者对通过参与 RT 试验获得的护理质量仍然非常满意：对实践的启示：这项服务评估的结果将有助于在主办中心内保持和改进以患者为中心的癌症试验服务。这项研究以证据为基础，强调了放射技师 CRR 角色和角色发展的重要性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Radiography RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING-

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

34.60%

发文量

169

审稿时长

63 days

期刊介绍： Radiography is an International, English language, peer-reviewed journal of diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy. Radiography is the official professional journal of the College of Radiographers and is published quarterly. Radiography aims to publish the highest quality material, both clinical and scientific, on all aspects of diagnostic imaging and radiation therapy and oncology.