for this research proposal, you must include
- table of content
- abstract
- introduction
- rationale
There is quite a lot of literature surrounding the experience of prostate cancer for the BAME community, specifically how it effects their psychological, social , physical, and spiritual needs. Proposing research for this matter can help to better patient experience by identifying core issues and implement changes to services and support available as well as signposting patients to the best possible care available.
- aims and research objectives/questions
The aim is to create a research proposal which would look to identify any disparities in patient experience for the BAME Community members in cancer management decision making, pre treatment information and support., the demographic of prostate cancer will be considered, this may mean a lot of the patients are first generation immigrants with more cultural exposure to those of a younger age BAME patient. The questions could include/cover
· Cultural differences- how does this effect the treatment and patient choices? does their way of life, traditions and roles affect their ability to receive adequate support during treatment or vice versa? does a patients religious/cultural views effect the choice of treatment (e.g)
· Explore the impact of ethnicity and culture on prostate cancer management decision making.
· Determine if BAME patients have differing psychological, physical, social, and spiritual needs.
· Identify any disparities in information and support efficacy for BAME patients pre treatment (? trying to narrow the field to decision making about management overall and then info about surgery, chemo,& Radiotherapy T but not trying to cover on treatment)
· Identify barriers and enablers to effective patient information and support to inform practice.
· language barriers- is the patient receiving optimum support to overcome language barriers, can they freely express themselves and their concerns? Can they communicate with staff during treatment and understand what is required of them?
· skin tattoos placed during treatment, does skin colour effect the accuracy of patient positionin and how do staff members accommodate towards patient skin colour.
· Information accessibility, can patients of BAME community seek and understand information surrounding diagnosis/prognosis of prostate cancer when English is not their first language?
· Emotional support- is there support services available for people with language barriers, such as support groups, coffee mornings? Is the patient able to seek this help from family or friends? Does culture and ethnicity effect what makes individuals emotional/worried ? do patients see differently to body image changes?
- justification
- proposed methodology
- methods- data collection and analyses
semi-structured individual interviews conducted by people of opposing ethnicities to reduce bias and minimise room for assumptions. The data collected would be kept via audio recordings, transcribed, and analysed using Thematic analysis
(include interview questions in appendix)
- sampling
purposive/selective sampling would be better suited to this research proposal, it allows for patients from the BAME community to be selected using their confounding variables such as age, race/ethnicity, religion, marital status, English language level etc
. It is also for further dissemination by selecting those who have already undergone prostate cancer treatment to get an overall perspective.
- ethical considerations
- potential impact
- conclusion
- Identify a topic of contemporary relevance to professional practice, evaluate and justify its investigation using critical appraisal skills.
- Identify and justify an appropriate study design and suitable methods including ethical issues relating to the chosen area.
- Conduct the study and appropriate critical analysis and draw reasoned conclusions to make recommendations for practice.
- Communicate your findings within accepted academic and professional conventions in a suitable format.
- Demonstrate a sufficient understanding of the relevance of the evidence base to your chosen topic area.
· Demonstrate a sufficient understanding of the methods/skill/ethics in relation to your chosen project.
· Demonstrate a satisfactory level of critical analysis/appraisal, and synthesis of the current knowledge base in order to meet the aim of your project ie answer your research question, implement service improvement.
· Provide justification for any decisions that you made in relation to your project.
· Explain how you project is relevant to practice, and how any findings/potential conclusions drawn could inform practice/service provision/future research.
· Provide and informed discussion on the potential impact on patients/service users/professionals, including ethical considerations.
· Communicate work in a clear, balanced, and coherent manner.
· Follow appropriate academic writing conventions and agreed referencing requirements.