Patients with cancer often face a heightened risk of pressure ulcers, particularly at the end of life, stemming from their condition or cancer treatments. While guidelines exist for best practices in end-of-life skin care, the complexities of palliative cancer care frequently challenge nurses in making optimal, patient-centered choices. This study delves into the perceived importance nurses assign to various factors in end-of-life skin care for cancer patients, specifically in Wales. Furthermore, it evaluates the utility, face validity, and content validity of a prototype Care Decisions Tool Wales designed to support these critical decisions.
Methods and Analytical Approach
This research employs a mixed-method design, gathering data from nurses across primary and secondary care settings within diverse hospitals and local authority regions in Wales. Individual interviews utilizing clinical vignettes will be conducted to collect both qualitative and quantitative data from participating nurses. The qualitative data obtained will undergo thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and insights, while quantitative data will be subjected to descriptive statistical analysis to quantify trends and relationships. Subsequently, the qualitative and quantitative findings will be synthesized. This integrated approach strengthens the study’s rigor and provides a comprehensive understanding, directly informing the refinement of the end-of-life skin care care decisions tool Wales for patients with cancer.
Ethical Considerations and Dissemination Strategy
Ethical approval for this study has been granted by the Cardiff University School of Healthcare Sciences Research Governance and Ethics Screening Committee, ensuring adherence to the highest ethical standards. Informed consent will be obtained in written form from all nurses participating in this study, guaranteeing their voluntary and informed involvement. The findings of this important research will be disseminated through publications in peer-reviewed journals, reaching the academic and professional community. Additionally, presentations at national and international conferences will further broaden the reach and impact of the study. Crucially, the results will also be shared with patient and public involvement groups who are dedicated to enhancing cancer care, palliative care, and skin care services, ensuring that the care decisions tool Wales development is informed by and benefits the wider community.
