‘WICKED’: A research programme to promote prompt referral for suspected cancer in Wales

25 August 2017

GPs in Wales have the opportunity to shape the understanding and improve the early referral of suspected symptomatic cancers in Wales. WICKED (Wales Interventions and Cancer Knowledge about Early Diagnosis) was introduced in May this year. This research programme is funded by Cancer Research Wales, led by Profs Richard Neal and Clare Wilkinson with a research team based at the North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research, Bangor University. The overall aim is to develop and evaluate a primary care intervention to expedite the diagnosis of symptomatic cancer in Wales. More information about it is available on our website: http://wicked.bangor.ac.uk/

We are recruiting GPs working in Wales to take part in a 30 minute telephone interview, which will explore beliefs and experiences about managing the signs and symptoms of cancer. We are especially keen to talk to GPs with 30 or more years of experience as well as GPs working in particularly rural and deprived areas. We will be recruiting practice teams to take part in practice-based focus groups too.

We will also be contacting all GPs in Wales to invite them to participate in a short online survey, so look out for a ‘WICKED survey’ email in the coming weeks. The survey is designed to explore your beliefs, behaviour, and preferences about identifying, investigating and referring patients with cancer signs and symptoms.

To thank you for your time we will send you a £30 Amazon voucher, and we will donate £30 to Cancer Research Wales. Alternatively, we can donate £60 back to the charity if you’d prefer not to receive the voucher. Participating in research, and reflecting upon cancer diagnoses may be an activity you are able to include in your appraisal portfolio. A certificate of participation will also be provided.

Email the ‘WICKED’ programme manager for more information or if you would like to take part: Maggie Hendry m.hendry@bangor.ac.uk

Look out for a ‘WICKED’ email – coming soon!

We look forward to hearing from you then.

The WICKED research team