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Publication Costs Award: A cluster randomised trial of a Needs Assessment Tool for Cancer (NAT-C) in primary care: a feasibility study

People Involved

Profile image of Dr Joseph Clark

Dr Joseph Clark Joseph.Clark@hull.ac.uk
Research Fellow in Palliative Care

Project Description

People with cancer can experience distressing symptoms, worries and concerns from diagnosis to advanced disease; some get better supportive and palliative care than others. Use of a guide to check for problems can improve care. We adapted a guide, the NAT-C, to help GPs (family doctors) and practice nurses identify and manage the needs and concerns of people with cancer and their family carers. Before we could test the effectivness of the NAT-C istudy, we wanted to test the feasibliity of conducting a large trial of the NAT-C. We wanted to know the best way of ensuring that petins had a NAT-C appointment and to check that study procedures were acceptable to patients, carers and clinicians.

Patients with active cancer were invited to participate with or without a carer. Patients/carers completed study questionnaires on entry to the study and after 1, 3 and 6 months. Participants booked a 20 minute study appointment. Patients, carers and GP practice staff were invited to interviews/focus groups.

Four GP practices, 47 patients and 17 carers took part in the study. A total 32/47 (68%) participants received a NAT-C-guided consultation. Participants/carers were followed up at one month (n=44 (94%), n=16 (94%)), three months (n=38 (81%), n=14 (82%)) and six months (n=32 (68%), n=10 (59%)). Fifteen patient interviews and focus group at each GP practice.

Participants supported a definitive study and found study procedures measures acceptable. Based on this findings of this study, we have changed the design of a larger project to make sure it is successful. Overall, patients, carers and clinicians enjoyed taking part in the study and supported the need for a larger study.

Status Project Complete
Value £1,490.00
Project Dates Jan 1, 2020 - Dec 31, 2020

Related Projects

CANAssess: Reducing inequalities in care for people with cancer and palliative care needs: a programme of work for cancer patients and caregivers in the community based in Yorkshire Sep 1, 2016 - Jan 30, 2019
People with cancer need good access to palliative care to relieve distressing symptoms, but some get better access than others. Developed in Australia, the Needs Assessment Tool - Progressive Disease Cancer (NAT:PD-C) is a tested, "everyday practice"... Read More about CANAssess: Reducing inequalities in care for people with cancer and palliative care needs: a programme of work for cancer patients and caregivers in the community based in Yorkshire.



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Publication Costs Award Apr 11, 2022 - Dec 31, 2022
Unmet needs in patients with cancer and their carers are common but poorly identified and addressed. The Needs Assessment Tool- Cancer (NAT-C) is a structured consultation guide to identify and triage patient and carer unmet needs. The NAT-C is valid... Read More about Publication Costs Award.