Compassionate Communication and Advance Care Planning to Improve End of Life Care in Treatment of Hematological Disease (ACT)

Launched by CHRISTOFFER JOHANSEN · Jun 30, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called ACT, is focused on improving end-of-life care for patients with certain blood cancers, such as Multiple Myeloma, Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and Lymphoma. Many patients with these conditions might not fully understand their prognosis or the effectiveness of ongoing treatments, which can lead to unnecessary suffering as they approach the end of life. The trial aims to help patients and their families have better conversations with doctors about treatment options and end-of-life decisions, using a program that includes training for healthcare providers and resources for patients and caregivers.

To participate in the trial, patients must be at least 18 years old and have specific types of blood cancers, especially if they are older or have limited treatment options. Caregivers who support these patients are also involved in the study. Participants can expect to engage in discussions that help them and their families prepare for future health decisions, ultimately aiming to reduce unnecessary treatments and improve the quality of care at the end of life. This study will include around 400 patients and their caregivers, with the hope of making a meaningful difference in how care is provided to those facing these challenging diagnoses.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• Patients must:
• • Be at least 18 years of age
• * Have a diagnosis of one of the following:
• • High-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) or MDS with overlap of myeloproliferative neoplasms (high-risk MDS/MPN),
• • Acute myeloid leukemia(AML): Age≥80 or in palliative treatment or relapse
• • Lymphoma: Age≥80 or relapse or refractory or palliative treatment
• • Multiple myeloma(MM): Age≥80 or relapsed or refractory
• • Have limited treatment options. Provide informed consent. Have sufficient Danish skills to complete intervention sessions and data collection
• An informal caregiver is identified by the patient as the primary provider of informal physical, practical or emotional support and must:
• • Be at least 18 years of age
• • Be able to accompany patients to intervention appointments
• • Provide informed consent
• • Have sufficient Danish skills to complete intervention sessions and data collection
• Physicians:
• • specialized in hematology
• • treating patients with High risk myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma
• • work at the same department for the entire time of intervention.
• Nurses:
• • treating patients with High-risk myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma
• • work at the same department for the entire time of intervention.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Patient and caregiver are excluded if one of them is:
• • - Suffering from a severe psychiatric disorder
• Physicians and nurses:
• • - If they do not meet the inclusion criterion.