Qualitative Exploration of Head & Neck Cancer Patient Reported Experience of Radiotherapy (H&NPRER-RAC)

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Oncology; Anxiety; Head and Neck Cancer

Treatments: Other: not an intervention

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT04543045

CFTSp182

Details and patient eligibility

About

The study aims to explore the experience of patients with Head and Neck Cancer, who are preparing for and/or completed radiotherapy treatment.

Full description

This is a non-interventional study using interviews to explore head and neck cancer patients' experience of preparing for and completing radiotherapy utilising an immobilisation mask.

The study will be conducted in 2 stages:

The first stage is Item generation. Approximately 20 interviews will be conducted with head and neck cancer patients who have completed or partially completed radiotherapy. The interviews will capture their experiences and views pertaining to mould making, scans and radiotherapy, reported associated fear of restriction, suffocation, loss of control and fear of public embarrassment during treatment.

The data from the interviews will be used to develop potential items for a screening tool for identification of those patients likely to experience anxiety and claustrophobia before they start their treatment.

The second stage is cognitive interviews. Approximately 5 patients included in Stage I will be invited to take part in a further interview to review the themes and potential questionnaire items identified from interviews.

Enrollment: 20 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Aged over 18 (no upper age limit)
• Completed or partially completed radiotherapy treatment utilising a mask ≥ 6 weeks previous to study entry

Exclusion criteria

• Unable to understand and communicate in the English language
• Unable to provide written informed consent

Trial design

20 participants in 2 patient groups

Stage 1

Description:

20 patients will be interviewed once, which will be approximately 60 minutes in duration. The interviews will be audio recorded.

Treatment:

Other: not an intervention

Stage 2

Description:

Five patients who participated in stage 1 will take part in a cognitive interview, which will be approximately 60 minutes in duration.The interviews will be audio recorded.

Treatment:

Other: not an intervention