Improving communication about prognosis for children with advanced cancer

IMPROVING PROGNOSTIC COMMUNICATION IN PEDIATRIC CANCER

NIH-funded research St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-10991365

This study is all about helping doctors talk to kids with advanced cancer and their families about what to expect, so they can share important information in a way that feels right for everyone and improve the care these children receive.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Memphis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10991365 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to enhance how pediatric oncologists communicate prognosis to children with advanced cancer and their families. By interviewing patients, parents, and oncologists, the project seeks to identify preferences for the timing, content, and delivery of prognostic information. The goal is to create a user-friendly communication guide and documentation template that supports timely and clear prognostic disclosure, ultimately leading to better palliative care for children. The project will also involve usability testing with oncologists to ensure the tools developed are effective and practical.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years with advanced cancer and their families who seek clear prognostic information.

Not a fit: Patients with early-stage cancer or those who do not require prognostic communication may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of advanced cancer in children, enhancing their quality of life through better palliative care.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that improving communication in healthcare settings can significantly enhance patient and family satisfaction, indicating potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Memphis, 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 Advanced Canceradvanced diseaseanti-cancer researchcancer carecancer in a child
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.