Abstract
BackgroundGlobally, cancer rates are increasing. In Scotland, it is estimated that 2 in 5 people will develop cancer in their lifetime. Therefore, this is crucial time to provide personalised care and support to individuals affected by cancer. In response to this a community based supportive cancer service was launched in Glasgow, Scotland. The aim of this service is to proactively provide those affected by cancer with an assessment of their needs and personalised support where needed. To our knowledge, there is no other service like this in the United Kingdom.MethodsThe aim of this study is to understand if and how the service impacts upon the experiences and outcomes of people living with and affected by cancer. The study uses a sequential mixed methods design across a 5 year time point. Data gathering includes questionnaires, interviews, observations and reflective diaries. Participants include people affected by cancer who have used the service, a comparative sample who have not used the service, individuals who deliver the service and wider stakeholders. Outcomes include measures of patient activation, quality of life, health status, and social support. Data collection occurs at baseline, 2.5 years and 4 years with data from observations and reflective diaries supplemented throughout.DiscussionThis study evaluates an innovative community based cancer service. It focuses on impact and process issues relevant to a) the individuals in receipt of the service, b) the service providers, and c) the wider culture. As the programme evolves overtime, the research has been designed to draw out learning from the programme in order to support future commissioning both within Scotland and across the UK.
Highlights
Self -reported experience of Improving the Cancer Journey’ (ICJ) will be significantly associated with scores on quality of life measures, patient activation scores and support
This study examines how a community-based service, delivering a holistic method of support may impact on individuals affected by cancer
Holistic needs assessment is administered by a health professional, such as a cancer nurse specialist or oncologist in an outpatient clinic setting
Summary
In Scotland, it is estimated that 2 in 5 people will develop cancer in their lifetime This is crucial time to provide personalised care and support to individuals affected by cancer. In response to this a community based supportive cancer service was launched in Glasgow, Scotland. International and national figures show specific and consistent trends in terms of the increasing incidence, prevalence, and survival rates for people with cancer [2]. In the United Kingdom (UK), cancer incidence rates have increased by more than a quarter over the last 40 years [2]. In Scotland cancer survival rates are low in comparison to the rest of Western Europe. The predicted increase in the incidence of new cases of cancer in Scotland will be 33 % over the 15 years resulting in over 40, 000 new cases per year between by the years 2023–2027 [7]
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