A telephone survey of cancer awareness among frontline staff: informing training needs

Background: Studies have shown limited awareness about cancer risk factors among hospital-based staff. Less is known about general cancer awareness among community frontline National Health Service and social care staff. Methods: A cross-sectional computer-assisted telephone survey of 4664 frontline community-based health and social care staff in North West England. Results: A total of 671 out of 4664 (14.4%) potentially eligible subjects agreed to take part. Over 92% of staff recognised most warning signs, except an unexplained pain (88.8%, n=596), cough or hoarseness (86.9%, n=583) and a sore that does not heal (77.3%, n=519). The bowel cancer-screening programme was recognised by 61.8% (n=415) of staff. Most staff agreed that smoking and passive smoking ‘increased the chance of getting cancer.’ Fewer agreed about getting sunburnt more than once as a child (78.0%, n=523), being overweight (73.5%, n=493), drinking more than one unit of alcohol per day (50.2%, n=337) or doing less than 30 min of moderate physical exercise five times a week (41.1%, n=276). Conclusion: Cancer awareness is generally good among frontline staff, but important gaps exist, which might be improved by targeted education and training and through developing clearer messages about cancer risk factors

Increasing response to a postal survey of sedentary patients – a randomised controlled trial [ISRCTN45665423]

BACKGROUND: A systematic review identified a range of methods, which can influence response rates. However, analysis specific to a healthcare setting, and in particular, involving people expected to be poor responders, was missing, We examined the effect of pre-warning letters on response rates to a postal survey of sedentary patients whom we expected a low rate of response. METHODS: Participants were randomised to receive a pre-warning letter or no pre-warning letter, seven days before sending the main questionnaire. The main questionnaire included a covering letter and pre-paid return envelope. After seven days, non-responders were sent a reminder letter and seven days later, another reminder letter with a further copy of the questionnaire and return envelope. RESULTS: 627 adults, with a mean age of 48 years (SD 13, range 18 to 78) of whom 69.2% (434/627) were women, were randomised. 49.0% (307/627) of patients were allocated to receive a pre-warning letter and 51.0% (320/627) no pre-warning letter, seven days in advance of posting the main questionnaire. The final response rate to the main questionnaire was 30.0% (92/307) amongst those sent a pre-warning letter and 20.9% (67/320) not sent a pre-warning letter, with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.60 (95% CI 1.1, 2.30). CONCLUSIONS: The relatively low cost method of sending a pre-warning letter had a modest impact on increasing response rates to a postal questionnaire sent to a group of patients for whom a low response rate was anticipated. Investigators should consider incorporating this simple intervention when conducting postal surveys, to reduce the potential for nonresponse bias and to increase the study power. Methods other than postal surveys may be needed however when a low response rate to postal surveys is likely

Methodological Challenges of Researching in the Care Home Sector

Freda Mold, Julia Roberts, Joanne Fitzpatrick and Louise Barriball address the challenges encountered while undertaking a feasibility study to elicit the views of care home nurse managers on the needs of minority ethnic older residents. It includes advice for those who plan to conduct empirical work in this sector There is a developing body of research about minority ethnic elders in the UK (Blakemore 2000, Gerrish 2000) but few empirical studies have focused on those who live in care homes (Mold et al 2005). International studies have focused on access and equality issues (Howard 2004), environment and workforce issues (Berdes and Eckert 2001), resident and staff interaction (Jones and van Amelsvoort Jones 1986, Mercer et al 1993), and identity, independence and culture (Lee 1999). But while recent evidence indicates that UK government policies focus on the needs of all older people, little research has sought to understand the needs of specific population groups in UK care homes (Patel 1998, Social Service Inspectorater 1998, Audit Commission 2000, Department of Health (DH) 2001). Further research is needed, therefore, to better understand older people’s needs and thereby inform and enhance the services provided to individuals

Methodological Challenges of Researching in the Care Home Sector

Freda Mold, Julia Roberts, Joanne Fitzpatrick and Louise Barriball address the challenges encountered while undertaking a feasibility study to elicit the views of care home nurse managers on the needs of minority ethnic older residents. It includes advice for those who plan to conduct empirical work in this sector There is a developing body of research about minority ethnic elders in the UK (Blakemore 2000, Gerrish 2000) but few empirical studies have focused on those who live in care homes (Mold et al 2005). International studies have focused on access and equality issues (Howard 2004), environment and workforce issues (Berdes and Eckert 2001), resident and staff interaction (Jones and van Amelsvoort Jones 1986, Mercer et al 1993), and identity, independence and culture (Lee 1999). But while recent evidence indicates that UK government policies focus on the needs of all older people, little research has sought to understand the needs of specific population groups in UK care homes (Patel 1998, Social Service Inspectorater 1998, Audit Commission 2000, Department of Health (DH) 2001). Further research is needed, therefore, to better understand older people’s needs and thereby inform and enhance the services provided to individuals

Specialist provision for language disorder: Staff and service user views of a preschool language unit

Language units are specialist educational settings that provide integrated speech and language therapy and curriculum delivery for children with severe language disorders within mainstream schools. This study presents an account of a preschool language unit (PLU) from the perspectives of children with language disorders currently in attendance, their parents, and teaching staff. Six child-led, multi-modal interviews, six parent questionnaires, and interviews with three members of staff were analysed using Framework Analysis (Ritchie et al., 2003). Results showed that staff and parents perceive that attending the PLU positively impacts the children, but raised concerns that accessing PLUs can be difficult due to number restrictions. Children valued play and friendships within the PLU, while parents valued the PLU’s role in supporting communication and socialization. This study offers a unique account of how a PLU supports children with language disorders from the perspectives of children, parents and staff