title: Developing a community-based intervention to improve quality of life in people with colorectal cancer: a complex intervention development study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop and pilot a theory and evidence-based intervention to improve quality of life (QoL) in people with colorectal cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A complex intervention development study.
  
  
  METHODS
  North East Scotland and Glasgow.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semistructured interviews with people with colorectal cancer (n=28), cancer specialists (n=16) and primary care health professionals (n=14) and pilot testing with patients (n=12).
  
  
  METHODS
  A single, 1 h nurse home visit 6-12 weeks after diagnosis, and telephone follow-up 1 week later (with a view to ongoing follow-up in future).
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative assessment of intervention feasibility and acceptability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Modifiable predictors of QoL identified previously were symptoms (fatigue, pain, diarrhoea, shortness of breath, insomnia, anorexia/cachexia, poor psychological well-being, sexual problems) and impaired activities. To modify these symptoms and activities, an intervention based on Control Theory was developed to help participants identify personally important symptoms and activities; set appropriate goals; use action planning to progress towards goals; self-monitor progress and identify (and tackle) barriers limiting progress. Interview responses were generally favourable and included recommendations about timing and style of delivery that were incorporated into the intervention. The pilot study demonstrated the feasibility of intervention delivery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Through multidisciplinary collaboration, a theory-based, acceptable and feasible intervention to improve QoL in colorectal cancer patients was developed, and can now be evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Division of Applied Health Sciences, Academic Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
authors.forename: Nicola M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Julia L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Allan
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Murchie
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Gill
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hubbard
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Amanda J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Aileen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McKinley
authors.forename: Una
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Macleod
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Presseau
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Samuel
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wyke
authors.forename: Neil C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Campbell