A tool to improve communication and self-management for families dealing with pediatric cancer

Cancer Care Companion: An Electronic Health Record Tool to Improve Information Exchange and Self-Management in Pediatric Cancer

NIH-funded research Washington University · NIH-11084876

This study is creating a helpful online tool called the Cancer Care Companion to improve communication between doctors and parents of kids with cancer, making it easier for families to access information and support.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11084876 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to develop an electronic health record (EHR) tool called the Cancer Care Companion, designed to enhance communication between healthcare providers and parents of children with cancer. By engaging parents in the design process, the project seeks to create a user-friendly platform that includes educational materials, symptom surveys, and messaging capabilities. The tool will be tailored to meet the specific needs of families affected by pediatric cancer, ensuring it is practical and effective for real-world use. The study will involve participatory design workshops to refine the tool's content and functionality.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are parents of children aged 0-11 who are undergoing treatment for cancer.

Not a fit: Patients who are not currently receiving treatment for cancer or whose parents are not engaged in their care may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of care and support for families navigating pediatric cancer treatment.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown success in using electronic health record tools to improve communication in healthcare settings, suggesting a promising approach for this project.

Where this research is happening

Saint Louis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions anti-cancer therapycancer carecancer diagnosiscancer in a childcancer in children
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.