DISCO: A Patient Intervention to Reduce the Financial Burden of Cancer

Launched by LAUREN HAMEL · Feb 18, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The DISCO trial is studying a new app designed to help cancer patients better understand and manage the costs associated with their treatment. This app encourages patients to take an active role in discussions about treatment costs with their doctors, which can help reduce feelings of financial stress and improve their overall experience during treatment. The goal is to enhance patients’ knowledge about treatment expenses, boost their confidence in managing costs, and ultimately improve their adherence to treatment plans.

To participate in this trial, patients must be newly diagnosed with breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer and be able to read and write in English. They should also have an email account since the app will be used for communication. Eligible oncologists must treat these types of cancer at the Karmanos Cancer Institute and will provide information through recorded discussions with the patients. Participants can expect to engage in both treatment conversations and feedback about their experiences, contributing to valuable research that may help future cancer patients manage financial challenges more effectively.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Oncologists are eligible if they treat patients with breast, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancers at Karmanos Cancer Institute. Data from oncologists will include their self-report data and video-recorded treatment discussions with participating patients.
• • Patients: Must be able to read and write in English; have an email account; and are newly diagnosed with breast, prostate, lung or colorectal cancer (stage I-IV) for which systemic therapy is a likely recommended treatment. Data from patients will include their self-report data, video-recorded treatment discussions with participating oncologists, and medical record data
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • -