Improving Communication for Cancer Treatment: Addressing Concerns of Older Cancer Patients and Caregivers

Launched by M.D. ANDERSON CANCER CENTER · Jun 23, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is focused on improving how older cancer patients and their caregivers communicate about their treatment, specifically when it comes to chemotherapy. The goal is to help these patients feel more satisfied with their care and to better address any concerns they might have about age-related issues. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of a new communication tool and see how well it is adopted in local cancer treatment centers. Researchers are also looking to understand what resources are needed to support this improved communication.

To participate, patients must be at least 65 years old and considering a new chemotherapy plan. Caregivers and practice staff, like nurses and oncologists, are also invited to join the study if they meet certain criteria, including being fluent in English and having access to a device like a computer or smartphone. Throughout the trial, participants can expect to engage in discussions about treatment options, share their experiences, and contribute to a project aimed at enhancing cancer care for older patients. The study is currently recruiting participants, and their insights will be valuable in shaping better communication strategies in oncology practices.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Practice Staff Participants
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Aged 18 years or older
• • A practicing clinician (e.g., oncologist, nurse practitioners, physician assistant, advanced practice nurse, registered nurse, medical assistant) or other practice staff (e.g., administrators and IT)
• • Fluent in English (reading and speaking)
• • Have access to computer, laptop, tablet, or smart phone
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Have plans to leave the practice in six months (e.g., retiring or changing organizations)
• • Unable to provide consent
• • Patient Participants
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Aged 65 and older
• • Considering a new chemotherapy plan
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • • Have been diagnosed with a health condition that precludes their ability to participate in informed consent or in the intervention (e.g., dementia which limits decision-making capacity).
• • Care Partner/Caregiver Participants (Care partners can be any partner, spouse, family member, and/or friend that has been identified by the patient and/or clinical team that supports the patient through treatment.)
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Aged 18 years and older
• • Fluent in English (reading and speaking)
• • Have access to computer, laptop, tablet, or smart phone
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • • Unable to provide consent
• Inclusion of Special Populations:
• • Employees. The rationale for including employees is to gain a better understanding of how we can improve cancer care for older patients with cancer receiving chemotherapy. It is possible that some employees may be pregnant women or military personnel. We intend to include these individuals as long as they meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria because this is a clinical improvement project to promote the implementation of the GA in routine clinical practice and should have external validity. These individuals would not be excluded in other clinical improvement projects outside of a research study.
• • Other special populations. This study will not include other special subject populations (students, Non-English-Speaking Populations, Minors, Human Fetuses; Neonates (infants under 30 days old), prisoners/detainees (wards)) because the purpose of the study is to understand the implementation of the GA in clinical oncology practices and its impact on patients 65+ with cancer and their care partners satisfaction with care, communication about their care, quality of life, and patient (65+) reported toxicities.