awareness of research and clinical trials in radiotherapy
January 2025
This survey was part of a wider project to raise awareness of radiotherapy research and clinical trials.
We have developed information videos and resources to increase awareness of research and clinical trials. We wanted to understand current levels of awareness and understanding about radiotherapy research and trials.
Videos about radiotherapy for breast cancer - July 2024
We are working on a project to increase access to the network information videos about radiotherapy for breast cancer and side effects from radiotherapy.
In July 2024, we asked people starting their radiotherapy to complete a short survey.
The aim of the survey was to;
- find out whether people were aware of the videos
- understand whether people felt prepared for starting radiotherapy
- identify any areas for improving access to the videos
All radiotherapy centres in the Northern Radiotherapy Network took part in the survey.
FINDINGS AND OUTCOMES
The survey was delivered digitally using devices available in the departments.
A total of 36 people responded to the survey.
Initial results showed that around half of the people surveyed were aware of the videos. People who had watched the videos told us the videos were easy to access, and they felt reassured and prepared for their treatment.
NEXT STEPS
We are holding focus groups with staff in September 2024 to understand how we can increase access to the videos.
We plan to work with local teams to ensure people receive information at the right time and they can watch the videos to help make informed choices.
In future, we will ask people for feedback again to see if awareness of the videos, and people watching the videos, has improved.
PROSTATE RADIOTHERAPY INFORMATION SURVEY - JANUARY 2024
During January and February 2024, we ran a survey to collect patient feedback on our new prostate patient information videos.
People starting a course of radiotherapy for prostate cancer at one of our centres were asked to complete a short anonymous survey about whether they had seen the information videos and whether they helped them feel prepared for treatment.
The aim was to measure the impact of the videos on patient preparedness for radiotherapy and make improvements based on responses.
Findings and Outcomes
The survey and questions were co-designed by a multidisciplinary team. The survey was delivered digitally using tablets provided in the departments, and also via a QR code and link that could be used on personal digital device.
A total of 45 people completed the survey.
Of all the people who responded, 42% were aware of the prostate patient information videos. This was highest at James Cook University Hospital, where 55% of people were aware of the videos.
Patients and public are viewing both prostate patient information videos; the side-effects video has the most views (34,3587 since it was published). For patients that had watched the network videos, all respondents reported the videos helped them feel prepared for their radiotherapy treatment ‘somewhat’ or ‘lots’. Similarly, 83% reported the videos helped them ‘somewhat’ or ‘lots’ to make informed decisions about their treatment options.
Some patients reported a lack of access to the internet was a barrier to accessing the videos. We will be looking at opportunities to overcome this for patients in the future.
Network information survey - november 2023
The network facilitated a survey to better understand how people prefer to receive information about their treatment.
Between the 6th and 17th November 2023, people coming to one of our radiotherapy centres were asked to complete the survey on their first day of treatment.
Posters and leaflets were displayed in the departments and people were able to complete the survey in a variety of ways, from using digital devices provided or scanning the QR code displayed. Paper copies were also made available.
In total, there were 120 responses to the survey during the two week period.
Findings and outcomes
People felt respected in the department, and rated their care highly. They told us that they were happy with the quantity and quality of information received. Very few people reported receiving no information.
Between centres, there were differences in awareness of holistic support (such as Macmillan cancer information centres, and the Maggie’s centre at Newcastle).
This highlighted further work is needed to continue to promote these resources to people in the region.