Mesothelioma and Education Workers (MEWS): experiences of presentation, diagnosis, treatment and care.
This study aims to generate a critical account of the experiences of presentation, diagnosis, treatment and care for current and former school-based education workers with mesothelioma. At present, education is not considered a high-risk industry for malignant mesothelioma.
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Education employees do not fit the typical patient profile of mesothelioma and asbestos exposure. Despite this, however, many education workers work in old school buildings and ‘pre-fab’ school accommodation in which asbestos is likely to be present.
The objectives of the study are:
- To access and analyse national and regional organisational data for some indication of incidence of mesothelioma amongst school-based education workers
- To perform a scoping review of published research examining the experience of school-based education workers who have developed mesothelioma. The published scoping review can be viewed here
- To conduct stakeholder consultation to gain insight into the experiences of school-based education workers with mesothelioma
- To use the findings from this project to inform a research proposal for an empirical study aiming to gain further insight into the mesothelioma patient experience.
Please see some further resources:
- The impact of asbestos on the UK workforce: three waves of mesothelioma - a Society of Occupational Medicine webinar from March 2024
- Channel 5 News article which highlights the danger of asbestos in schools, and contains an interview with the daughter of a teacher who developed mesothelioma.
- Article in The Conversation: The hidden danger of asbestos in UK schools: 'I don't-think they realise how much risk it poses to students'.
For more information about this study contact Dr Bethany Taylor (btaylor3@sheffield.ac.uk).