A study of peoples’ experiences of symptoms (USEFUL)
Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.
Cancer type:
Status:
Phase:
This study is looking at peoples’ experiences of symptoms and how symptoms have affected them.
The researchers want to get a better understanding of what people think about their symptoms and why they use the health services in the way they do.
Who can enter
You may be invited to join the study if you are at least 50 years old and are registered with a GP practice in Scotland or the West Midlands.
Trial design
There are 2 parts to this study.
In the first part the study team will invite 50,000 people to fill in a questionnaire. The questions will ask about
- Any symptoms you had in the past year
- If you’d had these symptoms before
- If you saw your GP about them
- How the symptoms affected your daily life
- When the symptoms first started
- How bad the symptoms were
- How concerned about the symptoms you were
- What you think about the symptoms and how you feel about them
- Your views about seeing the GP
- General questions about you including age, occupation and general health
The questionnaire will take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete. You can fill in the questionnaire online at home. The study team will tell you how to do this. Or the study team will mail the questionnaire to you with a FREEPOST (no stamp required) envelope to mail the completed questionnaire back to them.
In the 2nd part of the study the team want to talk to between 20 and 25 people who completed the questionnaire. A member of the study team will phone you and ask about
- Symptoms you’ve had in the past month
- Symptoms you’ve had in the past
- What you did about your symptoms and why you did so
- What you think about primary health care services, such as the health services offered by your GP
The phone call will take about 45 minutes. With your permission the researcher will record the conversation.
Hospital visits
There are no hospital visits if you agree to take part in this study.
Side effects
There are no side effects from taking part in this study.
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Chief Investigator
Dr Alison M Elliott
Supported by
National Awareness and Early Diagnosis Initiative (NAEDI)
University of Aberdeen
Scottish Primary Care Research Network
Clinical Research Network: West Midlands
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
