Improving end-of-life care for patients with metastatic breast cancer
Official title: Evaluation of end-of-life best practices and implementation of a tool to predict near-term death among patients with metastatic breast cancer in an oncology clinic
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-10917265 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to improve care for patients with advanced breast cancer by creating a helpful tool that predicts when someone might be nearing the end of life, so doctors can have important conversations about care options and hospice support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $160,109 |
| NIH project number | 5K08HS028862-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10917265 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer who are receiving care in an oncology clinic.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage breast cancer or those not receiving treatment in an oncology setting may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the quality of end-of-life care for patients with metastatic breast cancer by developing and implementing a tool that predicts near-term death. It focuses on integrating this prognostic tool into routine oncology practice to facilitate important conversations about serious illness and hospice referrals. The study will assess current practices, co-design an implementation protocol with stakeholders, and pilot the tool in an oncology clinic to evaluate its effectiveness. By addressing the gap in recognizing when patients are nearing the end of life, the research seeks to promote better care practices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved end-of-life care and a more dignified dying process for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that implementing prognostic tools can improve end-of-life care practices, indicating potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ray, Emily Miller — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Ray, Emily Miller
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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.