Attitudes of patients and staff to research in a specialist palliative care unit
Limited EvidenceIn Plain Language
Many randomized trials in specialist palliative care (SPC) have failed to recruit sufficient numbers of patients. A questionnaire was designed to assess the attitudes of inpatients of a SPC unit to taking part in research. Only 50% of patients were considered physically and mentally fit for interview. Forty patients and 13 nurses were asked to indicate their willingness to take part, or for their patients to take part, in research in general and then in three hypothetical trials. Reasons for their responses were analysed. The patients were generally agreeable to trial participation (66% 'quite happy' or 'very happy'). The nurses were strongly in favour of research participation for the same group of patients (92% 'quite happy' or 'very happy'). The most invasive study involving venepuncture and random drug allocation had the least favourable response (46% of patients and 54% of nurses 'quite happy' or 'very happy'). A trial of reflexology attracted 77% of patients, while 62% were happy to take part in a study involving mood assessment and interview. Factors deterring willingness to participate included the need for record keeping by the patient and concern about potential emotional strain. The nurses correctly identified some of the factors deterring patients, but often their willingness for trial participation did not match that of the patient. Although there is support for research among the small number of potential trial entrants in specialist palliative care units, their limited physical and emotional reserves make careful attention to appropriate trial design essential to the success of future studies.
Key Findings: what this cross-sectional study found
- ✓Only 50% of patients in the specialist palliative care unit were considered physically and mentally fit to participate in research interviews.
- ✓Most patients (66%) and nurses (92%) were willing to participate in research studies, though willingness decreased significantly for more invasive procedures involving venepuncture and random drug allocation.
- ✓A reflexology trial attracted the highest patient participation rate at 77%, suggesting patients preferred less invasive therapeutic interventions.
What This Means for You
This preliminary survey suggests reflexology may be an attractive complementary option in palliative care settings, as it had higher patient willingness compared to more invasive research studies.
What This Means for Practitioners
Reflexology presents an opportunity for research participation in palliative care, as patients show relatively high interest in this intervention compared to more invasive alternatives, which could help advance evidence in this population.
Study Design: how this cross-sectional study was run
Common questions about this study
What does this study mean in practice?
This preliminary survey suggests reflexology may be an attractive complementary option in palliative care settings, as it had higher patient willingness compared to more invasive research studies.
What did this study find?
Only 50% of patients in the specialist palliative care unit were considered physically and mentally fit to participate in research interviews. Most patients (66%) and nurses (92%) were willing to participate in research studies, though willingness decreased significantly for more invasive procedures involving venepuncture and random drug allocation. A reflexology trial attracted the highest patient participation rate at 77%, suggesting patients preferred less invasive therapeutic interventions.
How strong is this evidence?
This is a cross-sectional study and we rate its evidence limited. It covers 53 participants. It was published in Palliative medicine, a Q1 journal. This study is indexed here for context; it did not test reflexology itself.
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