After a national selection process, a team of researchers at the University of Sheffield were awarded funding to establish the first Mesothelioma UK Research Centre (MURC). The team is based in the Division of Nursing and Midwifery at the Health Sciences School and is led by Dr Clare Gardiner and Professor Angela Tod.
The Mesothelioma UK Research Centre – Sheffield will focus on experience-based research. The aim is to develop evidence that can be used to inform the support and care of people with mesothelioma and their family carers.
Whilst only established in July 2020, the Mesothelioma UK Research Centre has already developed a programme of research which responds to some key areas of uncertainty in the field of mesothelioma patient experience research. Our initial research includes a Rapid Review of mesothelioma patient experience evidence, MEWS: the Mesothelioma Education Workers Study, and Palliative care: the role Mesothelioma UK clinical nurse specialists play in meeting the palliative care needs of patients and their families.
We also have two PhD students. Virginia Sherborne is conducting a study exploring the psychological effects of mesothelioma in UK military veterans from the carers’ perspective, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis methodology. Emilie Couchman will be investigating how mesothelioma care is delivered at an organisational level, and how it is experienced by patients and professionals at an individual level.
In Winter and Spring 2020/21 we will be conducting a Research Prioritization Exercise (RPE). The objectives of the mesothelioma RPE are to:
work with patients, carers and clinicians to identify areas of research interest that will improve the experiences of mesothelioma patients and their families
agree by consensus a prioritised list of research areas of interest
develop researchable questions from the findings that have the potential to improve service provision for mesothelioma patients and carers.
We hope to involve a range of people in the RPE and wider research programme, including people with mesothelioma, their family carers, health and legal professionals, advisors from asbestos support groups and charities and other stakeholder groups.
If you would like to learn more about our research or sign up to the mailing list please visit website:
www.sheffield.ac.uk/murc
or email: mesotheliomaresearchcentre@sheffield.ac.uk