212 Testing the feasibility of establishing a cohort of lung cancer patients to investigate recovery following surgery with curative intent

Abstract

Introduction: Little is known about support needs and patterns of recovery among lung cancer patients following surgical treatment with curative intent. Consequently, there is insufficient evidence to guide the development of services to support patients in the post treatment period and to identify those at risk of protracted
recovery. We are conducting an innovative study to test the feasibility of establishing a cohort of patients to investigate the factors that influence recovery after lung cancer surgery.
Methods: A prospective, longitudinal cohort study design is employed. We are recruiting eligible patients, due to undergo surgery with curative intent, at nine geographical sites across the UK (recruitment period: August 2013 to early 2014). Participants complete questionnaires before surgery and three months later.
Questionnaires include socio-demographic questions and validated Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) assessing quality of life, recovery and wellbeing. Participants’ clinical details will be collected. Study procedures will be evaluated using semi-structured
interviews with patient participants and local site staff.
Results: We will assess the feasibility of recruiting a consecutive sample of eligible patients to a cohort study and of retaining these patients for the duration of the study. Feasibility assessment will be informed by qualitative data collection to determine the
acceptability of study procedures including questionnaires and methods for gathering patients’ medical details.
Conclusion: We believe this is the first study to test the feasibility of recruiting a cohort of lung cancer patients to assess wellbeing and to understand patterns of recovery. This feasibility work will inform a large (n = 1000), UK wide, cohort study of patients undergoing
surgery with curative intent. We plan to follow patients for a number of years. This novel approach to understanding lung cancer survival will enhance our ability to offer patients appropriate and timely
support and identify who is most at risk of protracted recovery.