The question addressed by the study. The optimal pleural infection treatment is yet to be determined and recruitment to trials can be challenging. Research into patient priorities in pleural infection is lacking. This qualitative study aimed to help us understand the patient perspective regarding priorities of care, to identify patient-centred study outcomes, and to explore the understanding of the risks and benefits of randomisation to different pleural interventions. Methods. A prospective, multi-centre, qualitative study using a semi-structured interview methodology explored key themes addressing the experiences of participation in a pleural infection randomised controlled trial (RCT) of combination intrapleural enzyme therapy versus surgery as well as priorities of care. Thematic analysis was conducted using the Framework method. Results. Thematic analysis identified five main themes: emotions, level of explanation and understanding, reaction to randomisation, influences on physical wellbeing, and overall experience. Pain was a significant feature due to both the infection and interventions. The overriding emotions described by patients were fear and anxiety. Participants demonstrated high levels of support for randomised allocation to intervention. The answer to the question. A pleural infection patient reported outcome measure (PROM) should be developed to assess pain, fatigue, anxiety, and breathlessness, so that valid health related quality of life data can be captured. Pain is an under-treated symptom of pleural infection and should be incorporated into treatment protocols. There was no clear patient preference between the interventions, and a surgical versus non-surgical pleural infection RCT is acceptable to participants.
Bedawi, Eihab O.Burney, RebeccaHarrad, Sophie Moosavi, Shakeeb H. Seymour, JackCondliffe, Alison M.Hedley, EmmaHenshall, Catherine Rahman, Najib M.
Oxford School of Nursing and Midwifery
Year of publication: 2025Date of RADAR deposit: 2025-06-23