Evaluating a Bidirectional Priming Intervention for Goals-of-care Communication in Oncology

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Lung Cancers; Gastrointestinal Cancers

• Registration Number: NCT06955468
• Lead Sponsor: Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine

Brief Summary

This pilot study will evaluate whether an intervention aimed at hospitalized patients with advanced lung and gastrointestinal cancers can help facilitate goals-of-care (GOC) communication with their oncologists after discharge.

While GOC communication is a recommended component of routine oncology care, many patients with solid cancers do not have the opportunity to talk with their oncologist about their goals and end-of-life preferences. Prior research has shown that a systematic method of prompting GOC communication with at-risk patients would address a key barrier to timely GOC communication and ensure that patients receive care that is in line with their personal preferences.

This trial will enroll 80 participants, who will be randomized 1:1 to either an intervention or a control group. Participants in the intervention group will complete a short survey regarding their goals, preferences, and disease understanding. Survey responses will be shared with each participant's outpatient oncology team. Oncologists will subsequently receive a nudge in the electronic medical record reminding them of key survey responses and encouraging them to discuss them at the patient's first clinic visit after hospital discharge.

The primary feasibility outcome is intervention completion rate and the primary clinical outcome is GOC documentation within 30 days of discharge in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-04
• Study First Submitted: 2025-04-25
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-04-25
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-25
• Study First Posted: 2025-05-02
• Last Update Posted: 2025-05-02
• Study Start: 2025-07
• Primary Completion: 2026-01
• Study Completion: 2026-05

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 80

Inclusion Criteria

1. Unplanned admission to the HUP Solid Oncology service;
2. Underlying diagnosis of advanced lung or GI cancer, defined as metastatic or locally advanced disease;
3. Anticipated discharge within the next 72h; and
4. Primary oncologist is based at HUP; or
5. Family member/caregiver of a patient meeting the above 4 criteria.

Exclusion Criteria

1. Unable to complete survey in English.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Intervention Completion Rate	From enrollment to 30 days after hospital discharge	The primary feasibility outcome is intervention completion rate, defined as successful completion of the survey, response sharing, and electronic medical record nudge for all participants assigned to the intervention arm.
GOC Documentation	From enrollment to 30 days after hospital discharge	The presence of outpatient goals-of-care documentation in the electronic medical record within 30 days of hospital discharge as determined by manual review.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; 🇺🇸 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States