Improving communication about end-of-life care for children with cancer
Evaluation of the Communication Plan Early through End-of-Life (COMPLETE) Intervention
This study is all about helping doctors and parents of kids with cancer talk better about end-of-life care, using special conversations and helpful visuals to make things clearer and more supportive, so everyone can focus on what matters most during this tough time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10912063 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing communication between healthcare providers and parents of children with cancer regarding end-of-life care. It aims to implement the COMPLETE intervention, which consists of tailored discussions that begin at diagnosis and continue throughout the child's treatment. These discussions are designed to address prognosis, hopes, and goals of care, using visual aids to facilitate understanding and emotional support. The goal is to improve the quality of life for children at the end of life and reduce the distress experienced by their parents.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with terminal cancer and their parents who are navigating end-of-life decisions.
Not a fit: Patients who are not diagnosed with cancer or those who are not facing end-of-life issues may not receive any benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved end-of-life care for children with cancer, resulting in less pain and emotional suffering for both the child and their family.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that early discussions about end-of-life care in adults with cancer can lead to better outcomes, suggesting that similar approaches may be beneficial for children.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perkins, Susan M. — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Perkins, Susan M.
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.