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Project Summary

This study aims to reassess the provision of interventional oncology (IO) services in the UK, following up on a cross-sectional study conducted in 2017 (https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/7/10/e016631) . The primary goal is to evaluate changes in the availability of IO procedures, collaboration between departments, referral pathways, and barriers to service provision. The results will highlight any progress made in the field of IO over the last seven years and identify the remaining challenges to ensure equitable access to these services across the UK.
 

  • Demonstrate rate of change (compare 2017 to 2023 data);

  • Demonstrate the service development needed in IO;

  • Make recommendations to improve IO offerings in the UK.
     

For the purposes of this project Interventional Oncology will be defined as per the RCR. Their latest guidance can be found here (https://www.rcr.ac.uk/our-services/all-our-publications/clinical-oncology-publications/interventional-oncology-guidance-for-service-delivery-second-edition/

Project Status
Unfortunately the deadline to sign up to this project has passed.

Data collection and analysis has been completed and the study findings are now being written up.
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The details

Study design

A cross-sectional multicentre study was conducted across all NHS Trusts in the UK. Data was collected using an electronic survey distributed to interventional radiology consultants, clinical directors.

Study participants

The participants included senior registrars and consultants from interventional radiology departments in NHS Trusts across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Inclusion criteria

Interventional radiology consultants, clinical directors, or senior specialty registrars from NHS Trusts involved in IO services.

Exclusion criteria

Representatives from departments or those not directly involved in IO services.

Sample size

Patients under 18. Benign cause MUO

90% of the NHS trusts and health boards in the united kingdom

Follow up duration

Not calculated

This study is a cross-sectional analysis and does not involve long-term follow-up.

Planned study period

Data collection will be open for one year from 1st November 2023 and 30th October 2024

Primary objective

To assess the prevalence and range of IO procedures across UK NHS Trusts, comparing the results with those of the 2017 survey to understand changes over the past seven years.

Project milestones

  1. Stakeholder engagement and questionnaire development

  2. Ethics approval

  3. Data collection 

  4. Preliminary data review with interim analysis 

  5. Close data collection 

  6. Data exploration and analysis 

  7. Manuscript drafting and review

Funding

No external sources of funding have been sought for this study.

Presentations/publications

Preliminary results of the study have been presented at: 

  1. Oral presentation at IOUK 2024: Provision of interventional oncology services across the UK: a 7-year interim analysis

  2. Poster presentation at CIRSE 2024: Provision of interventional oncology services across the UK: a 7-year interim analysis

Final results of the study will be disseminated via presentations at appropriate scientific meetings and conferences with publication in appropriate peer-reviewed journals. Results will be made publically available and shared with relevant policy makers

Team and funding

Project Lead: Diana Velazquez-Pimentel 

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Project team: 

  • Jay Pancholi

  • Paul Jenkins

  • Oliver Llewellyn

  • Noemi Cinti

  • Michael Stephanou 

  • Andrew White

  • Deevia Kotecha

  • Saqib Ashraf 

  • Hunain Shiwani 

  • Jim Zhong 

  • Ganesh Vigneswaran

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Supervising consultant:   Prof Tze Min Wah

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Advisors 

  • Guy Hickson

  • Peter Kennedy 

  • Peter Littler 

  • Philip Haslam 

  • David Breen

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