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Improving Communication and Adherence in Black Breast Cancer Survivors (Sisters Informing Sisters)

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Breast Cancer
Interventions
Behavioral: SIS TALK Back Intervention
Registration Number
NCT05334732
Lead Sponsor
Virginia Commonwealth University
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to test an evidence-based intervention designed to increase adherence to systemic therapy in Black women compared to enhanced usual care.

Detailed Description

Black women continue to experience worse breast cancer outcomes, which may be due to inadequate adherence to systemic therapies that can be improved via patient-centered communication. We developed and piloted the Sisters Informing SistersSM (SIS) intervention (survivor-led skill-building sessions and culturally tailored materials to activate Black breast cancer survivors in their medical encounters) and obtained promising findings. This project will compare in a two-arm RCT the impact of SIS vs. enhanced usual care (treatment recommendation summary form) on patient-centered communication and systemic treatment adherence; SIS tools may be integrated within existing clinical and support services.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
150
Inclusion Criteria
  • Self-identify as Black
  • Newly diagnosed (~4 weeks post-definitive surgery and prior to initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy or endocrine therapy) patients (stage I-III)
  • Eligible for chemotherapy or endocrine therapy according to NCCN guidelines, but have not initiated systemic therapy
  • Ability to read and speak English
  • Ability to provide meaningful consent as determined by trained study personnel and/or a member of the patient's care team
  • No prior cancer treatment (other than skin cancer) in the two years preceding enrollment
  • Physicians Must be a license doctor of study patient(s)
  • Ability to speak English
Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Sisters Informing Sisters SessionsSIS TALK Back InterventionThe intervention is peer-based and in concert with our theoretical model, builds upon positive role-modeling of the survivor coach to the patient, addresses behavioral expectations/capacities, and uses Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques. The intervention includes a culturally relevant coach's manual and a patient workbook that will be used to facilitate the coaching sessions.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Assessing Study Adherence Behaviors- Initiation36 Months

Initiation will be measured for all therapies based on the number of participants starting at least one cycle of prescribed therapy

Assessing Study Adherence Behaviors- Delay of Adjuvant or Endocrine Therapy.36 Months

Initiation Delay of therapy will be measured by the number of participant's days from definitive surgery date to the date of her first cycle of adjuvant systemic therapy. Classifications of delay are dichotomized according to published reports (\<60 days primary measure).

Assessing Study Adherence Behaviors- Overall Chemotherapy Adherence36 Months

Overall chemotherapy adherence will be measured by the number of participants that complete chemotherapy. Chemotherapy adherence will be measured as having at least 80% or more of the recommended doses. Adherence will be calculated based on the planned and expected number of cycles divided by the number received (i.e., 6 chemotherapy cycles received/8 expected = 75% adherent).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Assess Perceived Involvement in Care: PCC Outcomes - Perceptions of Patient Behaviors by determining Perceptions of Doctor Behaviors by determining a more patient-centered encounter vs a more biomedically focused encounter36 Months

The number of participants level of engagement in perceptions of patient behaviors will be assessed by utilizing The Perceived Involvement in Care (PCC) 13-Item scale. PCC will be assessed via direct observation of medical encounters through a quantitative analysis of audiotaped visits. A value \>1 indicates a more patient-centered encounter, whereas a value \<1 indicates a more biomedically focused encounter.

Assess Perceived Involvement in Care: PCC Outcomes - Perceptions of Doctor Behaviors by determining a more patient-centered encounter vs a more biomedically focused encounter.36 Months

The number of participants level of engagement in perceptions of doctor behaviors will be assessed by utilizing The Perceived Involvement in Care (PCC) 13-Item scale. PCC will be assessed via direct observation of medical encounters through a quantitative analysis of audiotaped visits. A value \>1 indicates a more patient-centered encounter, whereas a value \<1 indicates a more biomedically focused encounter.

Assess Perceived Involvement in Care: PCC Outcomes - Level of Engagement in Decision Making36 Months

The number of participants level of engagement in decision-making will be assessed by utilizing The Perceived Involvement in Care (PCC) 13-Item scale. PCC will be assessed via direct observation of medical encounters through a quantitative analysis of audiotaped visits.

Determine Process and Implementation Outcomes36 Months

Assess the Cost of the trial per arm. Personnel time costs will be obtained by multiplying the staff time. costs by hourly average wage and fringe benefit rates. The staff time will include the training to identify at-risk women and the time spent administering/reviewing study materials including the treatment summary request form

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Medstar Georgetown University Hospital

🇺🇸

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

Massey Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Richmond, Virginia, United States

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