Electronic Symptom Monitoring Program for Triggered Palliative Referrals in Patients With Thoracic Cancer

Launched by OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER · Apr 29, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying a new way to help patients with thoracic cancer manage their symptoms more effectively using an electronic symptom monitoring program, like an app on their phone. The goal is to make it easier for patients and their caregivers to access palliative care, which focuses on improving the quality of life by managing symptoms like pain and stress. This is especially important because many patients may not be able to attend in-person appointments for various reasons. By using this program, researchers hope to learn if it can help patients get the care they need sooner, before their symptoms worsen.

To participate in this trial, patients must be at least 18 years old and have been diagnosed with a type of thoracic cancer, such as lung cancer or mesothelioma. They also need to have visited the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center at least twice and be willing to use a device that can send and receive emails or text messages. Caregivers can also participate if they are identified by the patient and meet similar criteria. Participants will be asked to use the electronic monitoring system to report their symptoms, which will help healthcare providers offer timely support. This study aims to improve both physical and emotional well-being for patients and their caregivers.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • PATIENTS: Age ≥ 18 years
• • PATIENTS: Diagnosed with any stage (1-4) or type (non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer, mesothelioma, thymic carcinoma) of thoracic malignancy
• • PATIENTS: ≥ 2 visits at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center (OSUCCC) Thoracic Oncology Clinic
• • PATIENTS: Study enrollment within 12 weeks of initial Thoracic Medical Oncology appointment
• • PATIENTS: Ability to understand and willingness to sign an informed consent document (or indicate approval or disapproval by another means)
• • PATIENTS: Ability to read and understand English
• • PATIENTS: Access to a device with email or text messaging capability
• • CAREGIVERS: Age ≥ 18 years
• • CAREGIVERS: Identified by patient participant as primary caregiver
• • CAREGIVERS: Corresponding patient participant has consented to participate in the study
• • CAREGIVERS: Ability to understand and willingness to sign an informed consent document (or indicate approval or disapproval by another means)
• • CAREGIVERS: Ability to read and understand English
• • CAREGIVERS: Access to a device with email or text messaging capability
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • PATIENTS: Patients who have been previously referred to ambulatory palliative care are excluded from participation
• • PATIENTS: Prisoners are excluded from participation
• • PATIENTS: Pregnant patients are excluded from participation
• • PATIENTS: Patients who lack capacity for medical decision-making as determined by their primary oncologist are excluded from participation
• • PATIENTS: There is NO exclusion criteria pertaining to Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, laboratory values, prior cancer diagnoses, presence of comorbidities or brain metastases