Feasibility and diagnostic accuracy of Telephone Administration of an adapted patient-reported Wound HeaLth QuestiONnaire for assessment of surgical site infection following abdominal surgery in low and middle-income countries (TALON)
The NIHR Unit on Global Surgery has been collaborating across the network to explore remote, telephone follow-up for surgical site infection within the FALCON trial. TALON will explore whether telephone follow-up is feasible in low- and middle-income countries, and validate a patient-reported outcome measure adapted for use in global research studies.
This has been particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic where most trial follow-up is now being delivered without patients visiting the hospital due to safety concerns and travel limitations.
Telephone follow-up will also be explored in the upcoming ChEETAh and PENGUIN trials to optimise the tool for future use in research studies and clinical follow-up pathways.
FALCON-TALON update:
- TALON has been implemented within FALCON as part of routine follow-up pathways during the pandemic.
- Early feedback demonstrates high acceptability of the questionnaire and strong positive patient feedback from the enhanced telephone assessment. Approximately 50 telephone questionnaires have been completed to date across 3 partnered countries.
- Interviews and focus groups have been completed with clinicians and research staff from NIHR Global Surgery Unit Hubs in India, Nigeria and Ghana to adapt the global Wound Healing Questionnaire; further interviews are planned in Mexico & Benin.
- Formal launch of the adapted global Wound Healing Questionnaire is planned after pilot completion of 100 questionnaires.
Many thanks to all leaders within the Global Surgery network that have been key to the success of TALON so far. We look forward to sharing further exciting developments!
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