Let's Get REAL: Family Health Communication Tool in Pediatric Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy

Launched by WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · Nov 12, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The clinical trial titled "Let's Get REAL" is exploring a new tool designed to help families communicate better about decisions related to stem cell transplants and cellular therapies for children and teens with serious health conditions, such as blood cancers, solid tumors, and certain genetic disorders. The goal is to involve young patients more actively in discussions about their treatment options. This trial will include 24 participants, divided into two age groups: 8-12 years and 13-17 years.

To be eligible for the study, youth should be between 8 and 17 years old and have been referred for a stem cell transplant or cellular therapy. Their parent or guardian must also be involved and able to understand the study. Participants will meet with healthcare providers to discuss the treatment, and they will use the new communication tool to help guide these conversations. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and it aims to see how well this tool works in helping families navigate important health decisions together.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria Youth:
• • Children or adolescents 8-17 years of age referred for SCTCT.
• • Diagnosis of malignant or nonmalignant disorder.
• • Referred for any type of SCTCT. Autologous and allogeneic stem cell and cellular therapies are eligible.
• • Planning to meet with a provider to discuss SCTCT.
• • Must have the ability to understand and willingness to consent to participate after reviewing an IRB approved informed assent document.
• • Must speak English and be cognitively able to participate.
• Inclusion Criteria Parents:
• • Parent or guardian of a child 8-17 years of age with any diagnosis referred for any type of SCTCT. Diagnoses may include malignant and nonmalignant disorders. Autologous and allogeneic stem cell and cellular therapies are eligible. Parent or guardian is defined as an adult who usually cares for the youth and has authority to make medical decisions for them.
• • Must have the ability to understand and willingness to consent to participate after reviewing an IRB approved informed consent document.
• • Must speak English and be cognitively able to participate.
• Exclusion Criteria Youth:
• • Active medical problems severe enough to preclude study participation at the time of recruitment.
• • Patients who are otherwise eligible, but whose primary transplant physician does not want them to participate in the study.
• • Lacks cognitive capacity to complete study activities, as determined by consenting professional.
• Exclusion Criteria Parents:
• • Their youth referred for SCTCT does not assent to participate.