Site in focus: Southmead Hospital, Bristol

We asked Research Nurse, Lyndsey Johnson, about her experience working on the UPSTREAM trial.

Below, Lyndsey identifies the most important points for her that have made all the difference in UPSTREAM trial recruitment.

“Initially it was difficult to work out the best place to recruit. We were screening patients in flows, but this did not prove to be fruitful as the patients had already seen the doctor and had been given the information regarding flows and urodynamics.

What we needed was to get them at the time they saw the doctor. Once other consultants and doctors became aware of the trial, they would think ‘my patient needs flows, ah UPSTREAM’. They mention the study briefly to the patients and ask if they would like to discuss it with a research nurse then the idea is already in patients minds.

The thing that really made the difference was having a really good PI on board. But really everyone has given time to recruiting – consultants, doctors and research nurses and the urodynamic staff.

We have a dedicated research clinic so men can see a nurse, see a doctor and get booked in for their procedure. This is a really good patient journey, as many of the men are still working and taking time from work can be difficult, if we can get everything done in one go this improves the chance of recruiting.

It’s important to talk to colleagues, other consultants and doctors. It’s at the stage now where we, the research nurses, get cc’ed into emails, where patients have been identified as being ideal for UPSTREAM.

Feedback from patients indicates that they really appreciate being approached in clinic regarding the study.”