Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Nurse Ned Clinic
This study is called 'Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Nurse Ned Clinic'. It's for men who have finished treatment for prostate cancer. The researchers want to see if a new virtual clinic, led by specialist nurses (the 'Nurse Ned Clinic'), works better than the current virtual care model run by doctors ('Specialist Ned Clinic'). They will follow around 600 men for 12 months in Canada. Half will receive care through the usual specialist-led virtual clinic, and the other half will use the new nurse-led virtual clinic. The main goal is to find out if the nurse-led clinic can help more men get the support they need and improve their quality of life after prostate cancer.
At a glance
What is this study about?
If you've been treated for prostate cancer, you know that keeping an eye on your health afterwards is very important. Many men who have had prostate cancer can still experience side effects or emotional concerns, even after treatment. It can sometimes be hard for the healthcare system to provide all the care and support that everyone needs, especially as more and more men are surviving prostate cancer for longer.
Because of this, doctors and nurses developed a special online system called Ned. It's designed to help prostate cancer survivors. Through the Ned system, you can see your test results, fill out forms about how you're feeling and your quality of life, and have online appointments with your specialist doctor. However, they found that specialist doctors are very busy and couldn't always review all the information from patients before these online visits.
So, the team has now created a new idea: a virtual clinic led by specialist nurses within the Ned system, called the 'Nurse Ned Clinic'. This study wants to find out if this nurse-led clinic can provide better care and support for men after prostate cancer, compared to the current doctor-led virtual clinic. They hope it will help more men get the right support at the right time.
Key takeaways
- This study compares two ways of providing follow-up care for prostate cancer survivors.
- It's exploring if specialist nurses can play a bigger role in virtual follow-up.
- Participation involves either usual specialist-led virtual care or new nurse-led virtual care.
- You'll be followed for 12 months, using an online platform called Ned.
- The aim is to improve care and support for men after prostate cancer treatment.
- It's a Canadian study being carried out at five hospitals.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for men who are 18 years old or older and have finished their main treatment for prostate cancer. This means your treatment was aimed at getting rid of the cancer, and your doctors believe your risk of the cancer coming back is low.
You need to be getting your follow-up care for prostate cancer at one of the specific hospitals participating in Canada: University Health Network (UHN), Trillium Health Partners (THP), Niagara Health System (NHS), Prostate Cancer Centre - Calgary (PCCC), or Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre (QEII HSC) in Halifax.
It's important that you can understand and speak English well enough to take part in the study activities. If you can't, you can have a family member or caregiver help translate for you. You'll also need an email address, or be able to use a family member's email address. The study isn't suitable for men whose prostate cancer has spread to other parts of their body.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you 18 years old or older?
- Have you finished your main treatment for prostate cancer?
- Is your risk of cancer coming back considered low by your doctor?
- Are you receiving follow-up care at one of the participating Canadian hospitals?
- Do you have an email address (or can a caregiver help you with one)?
- Can you understand and speak English well enough (or have a helper)?
What does participation involve?
If you decide to take part, you would be followed for 12 months. You'd either receive your usual follow-up care through the current 'Specialist Ned' virtual clinic, or you'd be part of the new 'Nurse Ned Clinic'. The main difference would be who you're having your virtual appointments with and who is reviewing your information – either a specialist doctor or a specialist nurse. Both clinics use the same online Ned platform, allowing you to access your health information and complete online questionnaires about your health and how you feel. There are no new medications or special treatments involved in this study; it's about seeing which way of delivering follow-up care works best for people after prostate cancer.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (1)
- University Health Network (Princess Margaret Hospital)Verified postcodeToronto, Canada· Recruiting
Common questions
What is the 'Ned' system?
Ned is an online tool designed for prostate cancer survivors to view results, complete health check-ins, and have virtual appointments.
What is the difference between 'Specialist Ned' and 'Nurse Ned'?
Specialist Ned is the current system where doctors lead your virtual care. Nurse Ned is a new idea where specialist nurses lead your virtual care.
Will I have to travel for this study?
No, this study focuses on virtual (online) care, so you shouldn't need to travel for study appointments.
How long will I be involved in the study?
If you join, you will be part of the study for 12 months.
Why are they studying this?
They want to find a better way to support the growing number of men who have survived prostate cancer, to make sure they get the best follow-up care.
How to find out more
Denise Ng, MSc
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
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