A study looking at improving the way cancer pain is managed in the community (IMPACCT)

If you join the 1st part of the study, the researchers will arrange an interview with you. This will take up to an hour and will be at a time and place that suits you.

They will ask about how you deal with your medicines and who gives you help with this. They want to find out what is important to you and which things make your use of pain medicines harder or easier. They will also ask what you would think about a service specifically tailored to your needs.

All the information you give is confidential . There are no right or wrong answers. They are just interested in your thoughts. With your permission, the study team will make an audio recording of the interview.

In the 2nd part of the study, the researchers will also talk to doctors, nurses, pharmacists and patient representatives about their views on how to improve pharmacy services for people with cancer.

All the information collected in parts 1 and 2 will help the study team to design a service specifically catering for people with cancer and their families.

In the 3rd part of the study, they will test the service with patients to see what they think of it. If you agree to join this part, the study team will send you a questionnaire to fill in. This will ask about any problems you currently have with medication and how well your pain is controlled. They will give you a stamped addressed envelope to return the questionnaire.

They will give you a little book containing details of your medicines. This can be a source of information for you and any healthcare professionals you come into contact with. It will include information from your GP’s records about your medicines and your cancer diagnosis. It will be designed to make the information as useful as possible.

The study team will then arrange for you to have a consultation with your pharmacist that will concentrate on pain medicines. The consultation will be with a pharmacist who has had extra training on how they can help you get the most from your pain medication. They will talk you through your medication and help with any questions you may have about it.

As is usual in this type of consultation, if the pharmacist spots a problem with your medication, or thinks you may need some extra medication, they may need to contact your GP.

The consultation with the pharmacist will take about 20 minutes. The study team will ensure this is at a time and place that suits you.

About 2 weeks after filling in the first questionnaire, the study team will send you another one. This will ask how well your pain is controlled and how useful you found different parts of the study. They will give you another stamped addressed envelope to return it. It takes about 10 minutes to fill in each of the 2 questionnaires.