Improving navigation to help people with advanced cancer get care
Advancing Cancer Control Engaged Research Through Transformative Solutions in Patient Navigation (ACCERT PN)
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · NIH-11187240
This project will try community-focused patient navigation programs that use AI and systems approaches to help adults with advanced cancer in Chicago overcome barriers to care.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11187240 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would be part of a center-led effort that co-designs and tests two different patient navigation approaches combining community navigators, systems engineering, and AI tools to connect people with advanced cancer to care and support. The team will run a five-year main randomized trial comparing the two multilevel navigation strategies while also doing two faster community projects to develop communication and training for navigators and providers. Community members and health systems will work together to collect information on access, care processes, and survivor support, and researchers will study how to put successful approaches into routine practice. The focus is on addressing social, logistical, and system-level barriers that make it hard for people to get timely cancer care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with advanced cancer who live in Northwestern's Chicago catchment area and face challenges accessing cancer care are the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People without advanced cancer, those living outside the region or receiving care elsewhere, or those who do not need navigation support may not benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make navigation services more effective at helping you get timely treatment, social supports, and smoother care transitions when you face access barriers.
How similar studies have performed: Patient navigation has improved screening and follow-up in prior studies, but using AI-driven systems engineering in multilevel navigation within a randomized hybrid trial is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES
- NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY — CHICAGO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SIMON, MELISSA A. — NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: SIMON, MELISSA A.
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.
Conditions: Advanced Cancer