Table 1 Description of intervention in single exploratory case study
Abbreviated name for trial | Aim of trial | Setting and wider context | Nature of intervention | Nature of control intervention(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Phase 1: Single exploratory case | ||||
Aim: To identify potential variables of complexity for and to establish theoretical propositions that could be tested in phase 2 | ||||
NLED | To evaluate the impact of a specialist nurse-led model of early discharge following breast cancer surgery on patients, carers and the health service, whilst developing collaborative care pathways that enable a smooth transition between acute and primary care | NHS teaching hospital/cancer centre on two sites (one large university hospital, one smaller district general hospital), with a large geographical catchment area encompassing urban, rural, affluent and deprived communities in North East/ Central Scotland | Nurse-led early discharge - going home with wound drains still in situ, one or two days after surgery, with a package of care in place. This group was allocated to one of two nurses from the breast care team who received training from clinical nurse specialists | Usual care - staying in hospital post-operatively until all wound drains were removed (approximately five or six days) |