Improving communication about prognosis for children with advanced cancer
Official title: IMPROVING PROGNOSTIC COMMUNICATION IN PEDIATRIC CANCER
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-10991365 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $252,084 |
| NIH project number | 5K08CA266935-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10991365 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years with advanced cancer and their families who seek clear prognostic information.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage cancer or those who do not require prognostic communication may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kaye, Erica Carmen — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Kaye, Erica Carmen
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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.