Help managing cancer treatment costs and financial stress
Social Determinants of Health Research Project
This project pairs a patient-facing web tool with clinician and clinic training to help people with cancer find insurance and financial resources and talk about treatment costs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11399679 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You and other patients will use an adapted web-based tool called I CAN PIC to CARE that explains insurance options, links you to resources to offset treatment costs, and offers guidance for talking with your care team. The team will work with patients and clinicians to adapt the tool using a user-centered approach and provide clinician and organizational training to improve cost conversations. They will prepare for multi-level implementation using proven implementation strategies (ERIC) and measure outcomes at the patient, provider, and clinic levels. The project focuses on reducing financial burden during treatment and into survivorship.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults diagnosed with cancer who are in treatment or survivorship and who are experiencing or concerned about the costs of care.
Not a fit: People without cancer or those not facing financial issues related to treatment are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help patients afford cancer care, lower money-related stress, and improve quality of life during and after treatment.
How similar studies have performed: Similar financial-navigation tools and clinician training programs have shown promise in reducing financial toxicity, though pairing a web tool with multi-level implementation work is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Housten, Ashley — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Housten, Ashley
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.