Laura Hewitt
Email: 2618531H@student.gla.ac.uk
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4836-2323
Research title: A mixed methods study exploring inequities in the care of patients with advanced cancer, using big cancer data linkage with embedded interviews
Research Summary
Research Interests
I have had a longstanding interest in healthcare inequalities, end-of-life care and primary care throughout my medical studies at the University of Glasgow. After completing an intercalated BSc in Medical Humanities, I decided to pursue this interest further through applying to the CRUK TRACC+ MB-PhD Programme.
Project Summary
For patients with advanced cancer who are not receiving treatment at a cancer centre, there is no standardised care pathway or guidelines to ensure consistent care experiences. Recent research has indicated that care experiences for these patients can be variable, depending on local organisation, with qualitative findings identifying a strong theme of abandonment.
There is currently limited research to shed light on how a patient's social circumstances might impact an individual's care experiences in this situation. Therefore, during my PhD I am exploring how socioeconomic and geographic factors influence care experiences for advanced cancer patients who are not receiving anti-cancer treatment.
