BOLSTER: Learning New Skills to Thrive

Launched by DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE · Apr 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The BOLSTER trial, which stands for Building Out Lifelines for Safety, Trust, Empowerment, and Renewal, is a research study aimed at helping people with advanced gastrointestinal or gynecologic cancers who have new and complex care needs. The program is designed to provide support for both patients and their family caregivers, helping them navigate the challenges that come with their diagnosis and treatment. This study is not yet recruiting participants, but it will eventually look for adults aged 18 and older who are currently hospitalized or have special care needs related to their cancer. Eligible participants must also be planning to continue their cancer treatment and have a family caregiver or friend who is willing to participate alongside them.

If you or someone you know is interested in this trial, participants can expect to be involved in a 60-minute interview, which will be audio recorded. The goal is to understand their experiences and challenges in managing their health. It’s important to note that some individuals may not be eligible, such as those with cognitive impairments or those planning to enter hospice care. This trial will provide insights and resources to help improve the quality of life for patients and their caregivers during a difficult time.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Participant Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age ≥18 years
• • Currently hospitalized with skilled care need or have acquired a new skilled care need as an outpatient
• • Diagnosed with advanced gastrointestinal cancer (esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, hepatobiliary, colorectal, unknown GI primary, anal) or advanced gynecologic cancer (ovarian, endometrial, cervical, vaginal, vulvar)
• • Has a complex care need (e.g., ostomy, ileostomy, urostomy, nephrostomy, biliary drain, venting gastric tube, feeding tube, intraabdominal or pleural catheter, wound VAC)
• • Plans to receive ongoing cancer treatment
• • Has a family caregiver or friend (hereafter designated family caregiver) willing to participate
• • Able to speak and read English or Spanish (self-report)
• • Are willing to be audio-recorded
• • Have the cognitive/physical ability to participate in a 60-minute interview
• Family or Caregiver Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age ≥ 18 years
• • Identified by a patient (as defined above) as a family or friend who is involved in their care.
• • Willing to participate in study visits
• • Willing to be audio recorded
• Participant Exclusion Criteria:
• • Has cognitive impairments (as determined by the patient's oncologist)
• • Planning to enroll in hospice
• • Unable to complete baseline survey
• • Adults unable to consent
• • Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers)
• • Prisoners
• Family or Caregiver Exclusion Criteria:
• • Unable to complete baseline survey
• • Adults unable to consent
• • Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers)
• • Prisoners