A study looking at telephone or online appointments after treatment for breast cancer
Cancer type:
Status:
Phase:
This study is looking at what people think about telephone or online appointments as part of their follow up care for breast cancer.
More about this trial
Telephone or online appointments are called telemedicine. It means patients and their healthcare team communicate online via video, phone calls or by telephone. It also includes using texts or email.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine was used a lot in healthcare. This was because it wasn't possible to have face to face appointments. Telemedicine helped manage people with chronic diseases including breast cancer.
Researchers have noticed that after the pandemic, telemedicine isn’t being used as much. They are wondering why this might be and want to find out more. They think that telemedicine could be a useful way to follow up people who have finished their breast cancer treatment.
In this study, researchers are planning to ask people who have used telemedicine what they thought about it.
The main aims of the study are to find out:
- about people’s experiences of using telemedicine
- how acceptable they found it
- what factors influence using telemedicine
Who can enter
The following bullet points are a summary of the entry conditions for this study. Talk to your doctor or the study team if you are unsure about any of these. They will be able to advise you.
Who can take part
You may be able to join this study if all of the following apply. You:
- have finished your breast cancer treatment that included
chemotherapy 
, surgery or both. And this was the first treatment you had for breast cancer. - are currently having follow up after breast cancer treatment
- have used telemedicine in the UK as part of your regular follow up with a specialist cancer doctor, nurse or both
- are at least 25 years old
Trial design
Part one
The research team will use breast cancer charity forums, newsletters and social media to raise awareness about this study. There will be information about how to contact the researchers if you are interested in taking part.
The researchers need 10 people to take part in this part of study.
The researcher will ask you to complete some information on a short questionnaire about your:
- age
- education
- occupation
- ethnic group
Some people will then take part in an interview. The researcher will arrange this at a time that suits you. The interview takes about 40 to 50 minutes. The researcher will ask you about your experiences of using telemedicine and what you thought about it. The team will ask your permission to audio record the interview. These interviews are done online. If you don’t feel comfortable with this then the researcher might be able to travel to meet you in person at an agreed location.
Part two (questionnaire)
The researchers then plan to develop a questionnaire about telemedicine. The answers from the interviews will help them to design the questionnaire. They hope to find about 300 to 500 people to fill in the questionnaire.
The researchers will use breast cancer charity forums, newsletters and social media to help them to find people to fill in the questionnaire. The team will develop a poster with a QR code that you can scan on your phone to access the questionnaire. There will also be an email address for you to contact the researcher if you have any questions or concerns about the study.
Hospital visits
You don’t have any extra hospital visits if you take part in this study
Side effects
The team don’t expect there to be any side effects as a result of taking part in this study.
Location
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Chief Investigator
Vaidehi M Phatak
Supported by
Huddersfield Business School (University of Huddersfield)
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
