Using algorithms to improve communication about cancer care goals
Official title: Algorithm-enabled Patients Activated in Cancer care through Teams (A-PACT) toimprove goals of care communication for people with cancer
Funded at Emory University · NIH-11027181 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to improve how cancer patients talk about their care goals by having friendly health workers reach out to them over the phone between doctor visits, especially for those who might need it most, to help make sure they get the support they need and avoid unnecessary hospital trips.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $708,091 |
| NIH project number | 1R37CA296075-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11027181 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who may benefit from enhanced discussions about their care goals and preferences.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently undergoing cancer treatment or those who do not wish to engage in discussions about their care goals may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing conversations about goals of care (GoC) for cancer patients, which are essential for discussing prognosis and advance care planning. It employs a telephonic intervention led by lay health workers to engage patients in these important discussions between their oncology visits. The study aims to utilize machine learning algorithms to identify high-risk patients who would benefit from these conversations, thereby improving communication and reducing unnecessary hospitalizations. By automating the identification process, the research seeks to make this intervention more scalable in community oncology settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved communication about care preferences and reduced hospitalizations for cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success with similar interventions, indicating that structured communication can significantly improve patient outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
Emory University
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parikh, Ravi Bharat — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Parikh, Ravi Bharat
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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.