Using mixed methods to identify and answer clinically relevant research questions.

The need for mixed methods research in answering health care questions is becoming increasingly recognized because of the complexity of factors that affect health outcomes. In this article, we argue for the value of using a qualitatively driven mixed method approach for identifying and answering clinically relevant research questions. This argument is illustrated by findings from a study on the self-management practices of cancer survivors and the exploration of one particular clinically relevant finding about higher uptake of self-management in cancer survivors who had received chemotherapy treatment compared with those who have not.

A survey investigating the associations between self-management practices and quality of life in cancer survivors.

Purpose: To explore whether the use of self-management (SM) practices in cancer survivors impact on their health beliefs and quality of life (QoL). This is an important step in attempting to improve cancer survivors' health pathways and their experiences of living with cancer.

Methods: A cross-sectional, postal survey study was undertaken amongst cancer survivors identified from a teaching hospital in the West Midlands, UK.

Patterns of self-management practices undertaken by cancer survivors: variations in demographic factors.

The study purpose was to examine self-management (SM) use among cancer survivors; and to explore variations in uptake of SM in survivorship and whether these differed in relation to age, income, gender, ethnicity, cancer type and treatment type. This is an important area for exploration as SM utilisation has the potential to impact on the health status, health behaviours and quality of life (QoL) of cancer survivors. A postal survey was conducted among 445 cancer survivors identified from a hospital in the West Midlands, UK.

The effect of complementary and alternative medicine on the quality of life of cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analyses.

Purpose: To assess whether quality of life (QOL) improved in cancer survivors who had undertaken a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) intervention, compared to cancer survivors who had not.

Methods: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) was undertaken. Electronic databases including MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, PSYCHINFO, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.

Innovating information-delivery for potential clinical trials participants. What do patients want from multi-media resources?

Objective: To discover whether the provision of clinical trials information via a multi-media platform could better meet the needs, preferences and practices of potential cancer trial participants.

Methods: A mixed qualitative and quantitative questionnaire was delivered to 72 participants from cancer support groups to elicit views on the provision and design features of multimedia resources in delivering clinical trials information.

Results: Perceived lack of information is an expressed barrier to clinical trials participation.