Helping patients make more informed choices about early phase research

Share Helping patients make more informed choices about early phase research on Facebook Share Helping patients make more informed choices about early phase research on Twitter Share Helping patients make more informed choices about early phase research on Linkedin Email Helping patients make more informed choices about early phase research link

This part of the research has now concluded. Thank you to everyone who visited our project page and contributed.

Health care professional discussing a Phase 1 clinical trial with a patient

Does a list of questions and prompts improve the conversation about entering a trial?


Background

Phase I clinical trials of experimental compounds are an option for some cancer patients who have already tried other treatment options. Deciding to enter such a trial is not a straightforward decision for a patient, and this can create anxiety and uncertainty.

A patient will need to weigh up the risks and benefits of taking part in a trial and talk to their health professional about the likely impact on their health, the latest evidence and the chances of success.

Previous research has shown that some key information is either not always clearly communicated or taken on board in initial conversations between patients and professionals, and that some patients may not always ask important questions about the trial.

With that in mind a Question Prompt List (QPL) has been designed with experienced patients. Patients will use the list to ask questions that are important to them during their conversation with a health professional about entering a clinical trial.

We want know if this improves the conversation between patient and health professional.

An improvement in this dialogue as part of the process of a patient consenting to enter a trial may increase the patients understanding, and in turn give confidence that an informed decision has been made.

How can I get involved?

We want your views on the Question Prompt List and we have designed a survey to get your feedback - please see below.

Read about how patients have been involved so far.

The sponsor of the study is The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

Does a list of questions and prompts improve the conversation about entering a trial?


Background

Phase I clinical trials of experimental compounds are an option for some cancer patients who have already tried other treatment options. Deciding to enter such a trial is not a straightforward decision for a patient, and this can create anxiety and uncertainty.

A patient will need to weigh up the risks and benefits of taking part in a trial and talk to their health professional about the likely impact on their health, the latest evidence and the chances of success.

Previous research has shown that some key information is either not always clearly communicated or taken on board in initial conversations between patients and professionals, and that some patients may not always ask important questions about the trial.

With that in mind a Question Prompt List (QPL) has been designed with experienced patients. Patients will use the list to ask questions that are important to them during their conversation with a health professional about entering a clinical trial.

We want know if this improves the conversation between patient and health professional.

An improvement in this dialogue as part of the process of a patient consenting to enter a trial may increase the patients understanding, and in turn give confidence that an informed decision has been made.

How can I get involved?

We want your views on the Question Prompt List and we have designed a survey to get your feedback - please see below.

Read about how patients have been involved so far.

The sponsor of the study is The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

This part of the research has now concluded. Thank you to everyone who visited our project page and contributed.

  • Our work with patients so far

    Share Our work with patients so far on Facebook Share Our work with patients so far on Twitter Share Our work with patients so far on Linkedin Email Our work with patients so far link

    The design and concept of this research including all patient facing documents have been reviewed by the Royal Marsden/Institute of Cancer Research Patient and Carer Research Review Panel.

    Patients and the public were involved in the development of the Question Prompt List.

    Two focus groups were conducted consisting of 6-8 patients who were currently participating in Phase I trial.

    These discussions informed the development of the questions in the prompt, based on what these patients felt was important and what they would have liked to have more information about at the time of their consultation.