Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) and carcinomas (NECs) are a heterogenous group of malignancies, with no common clinical pathway, but previous study has highlighted a common need for effective, well-timed support. There is geographic variation in the availability and provision of specialist NET cancer services across the UK and this is reflected in the diverse patient experiences reported.

Service improvement: To improve the patients journey, the NET Patient Foundation are developing the Support Nurse service, to provide the support patients have identified as being the most appropriate, at the times when it was most needed and signpost to available allied services.

Aim: The aim of the study is to explore the changing nature of support requirements throughout the patient journey and identify sources, with optimal timings, of effective patient support.

Methodology: A focus group approach has been chosen as it is particularly useful where it is important to highlight common experience, or identify different views. The data will be collected in July 2017 from 3 to 4 focus groups at different locations in England and Wales, consisting of 4–8 NET patients and using a pre-determined, structured sequence of questions in a focused discussion.

Results: The data will be analysed using an inductive qualitative content analysis process.

Discussion: The themes identified by the analysis of the focus group discussions will define further study and inform the discussion of an optimal support strategy that can be tailored for each individual patient.