Being diagnosed with a serious illness is often described as an unforgettable moment. In addition to the new information about the condition and treatment plan, patients who are parents also face the challenge of how to talk to their children about what is happening. 

A group in the University of Oxford Department of Psychiatry are trying to find out about people’s experiences of being told their diagnosis by healthcare professionals, and how they shared this news with their children. 

The researchers would like to talk to parents who have experience of serious illness about the design of the research. This will make sure their future work will answer questions that are important and help families who find themselves in this situation in the future.  

The researchers are looking for adults (or their partners) who have been told they have a serious illness and had children aged under 25 years at the time of diagnosis.   

A group of up to 10 PPI contributors will be invited to meet online to provide feedback on the research ideas. The meeting will last no longer than 2 hours. 

A time reimbursement of £25 will be offered plus a £5 standard expense allowance towards costs related to taking part in online meetings from your home. 

If you are a parent who would be interested in this PPI opportunity please email claire.murray@oxfordhealth.nhs for more details.