A study to collect information about people who are referred for supportive care (ASSESS)
Cancer type:
Status:
Phase:
This study is looking to find out more information about people who are referred to 
teams. It is also looking at whether their supportive care needs are being met by these teams.
The study is for people who are being cared for at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester.
More about this trial
Traditionally, supportive care teams focused only on supporting people at the end of their lives. As more people are living longer with cancer than before, more people are being referred to supportive care teams. These teams are now helping people much earlier during their cancer treatment. They provide specialist care to manage people’s pain and other symptoms caused by cancer or cancer treatment. This is called enhanced supportive care (ESC).
Enhanced supportive care aims to improve the for patients and their families. Because of its holistic or whole person approach, enhanced supportive care helps people live as well as possible and supports families and carers.
The study team are doing this research to find out if the supportive care services are meeting everyone’s needs.
The team hope it will help them better understand people’s journeys through cancer services once they are referred to supportive care teams. This could help them to deliver more personalised care that meets people’s needs.
The main aims of this study are to find out:
- about the characteristics (demographics) of people who the supportive care teams are looking after
- whether the care and support they provide is meeting people's needs
Please note, you might not benefit directly if you take part in this study. The team hope that the information they collect can improve the support services to make sure they provide the right support for everyone.
Who can enter
The following bullet points are a summary of the entry conditions for this study. Talk to your doctor or the study 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 any type of cancer
- have been referred for enhanced
supportive care at the Christie Hospital and the team has accepted the referral - are at least 18 years old
Trial design
The study team need between 20 and 32 people to take part. If you agree to join the study, the team will ask you to fill in two questionnaires:
- when you join
- at 3 months
- at 6 months
The first questionnaire is called the Concerns Checklist. It is also known as a Holistic Needs Assessment. It has been designed to help the team support you by identifying any concerns you may have and information you may need. It is a checklist for you to rate your concerns. These could be:
- physical problems such as eating or drinking
- practical issues such as money or finance
- emotional concerns
- family or relationship concerns
- spiritual concerns
- information or support needs
The other questionnaire asks about side effects and how you’ve been feeling. This is called a quality of life study.
It takes about 15 to 30 minutes to complete both questionnaires. The questionnaires will be sent to you at home in the post or you complete them online. This depends on what you prefer.
Interviews
You will also be asked to take part in two interviews. These take place at 3 months and 6 months after joining the study. The team will arrange the interviews at a time that suits you. These can be done in person at the hospital or by telephone.
A member of the study team will lead the interviews. You must agree to take part in the interviews if you join the study. They will ask you questions about your experience of the care you have had and how this has met your needs. The interviews take about 30 to 60 minutes.
Other information
The study team will also collect information from your medical records. This includes your:
- age
- ethnic group
- gender
- cancer diagnosis and any treatment you have
The team will keep all information about you safe, secure and confidential.
Hospital visits
You might have some extra hospital visits if you have the interviews at the hospital. Where possible the team will arrange these when you have a routine hospital appointment.
Side effects
During the interview, the team will ask you to think about your support needs. This might make you feel upset. The researchers are very experienced at managing sensitive conversations in a supportive way. They want you to feel comfortable during the interviews. You are free to stop the interview at any time.
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
Dr Lydia Briggs
Supported by
The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Christie Supportive Care Charity Funding
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
