We have been talking to patients recently diagnosed with a brain tumour to improve our understanding of how patients experience their symptoms, and the different pathways to seeking help and being diagnosed. Now we want to talk to a range of stakeholders about our findings to see how they can contribute to policy, practice and future research. For example, developing ways to raise public awareness of important symptoms and supporting GPs to recognise potential symptoms earlier.
Why have I been invited to take part?
We are working with the Brain Tumour Charity and consultants and nurses at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge and The Walton Centre, Liverpool. We are inviting a range of stakeholders to take part in a workshop, including all those connected to the study (patients, informal carers, clinicians, policy-makers, researchers) and representatives from the funder. We hope that around 30 people will attend the workshop.
What will happen if I take part?
You will be invited to take part in a single workshop. The workshop will be organised and conducted by the research team. It will take place in London at a convenient venue with easy access, and will last up to four hours. We will provide refreshments and lunch, and your travel costs to and from the workshop (car mileage or second class rail travel) will be reimbursed. The workshop will be audio-recorded (with your permission).
At the workshop we will share the findings from the patient interviews and present a series of recommendations based on these findings, aimed at improving timely diagnosis of brain tumours. We will ask for your help in refining and improving the recommendations and discuss the implications of our findings for policy, practice and future research.
What do I do if I want to take part?
Please complete the reply form enclosed with the information sheet you have received and return it to the research team in the Freepost envelope provided (no stamp needed). The Study Researcher will contact you to explain the study, answer any questions you may have, and provide you with full details of the workshop.