Adapting a communication program for Latinx cancer patients
Communicating With Oncology Nurses About Values From the Outset (CONVO): An Innovative Primary Palliative Care Intervention in English and Espanol
NA · Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · NCT04942717
This study is testing a new communication program to help Spanish-speaking cancer patients in the Bronx talk about their health values with their nurses.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 234 (estimated) |
| Ages | 21 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (other) |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy |
| Locations | 5 sites (New York, New York and 4 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT04942717 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to translate and tailor a program called Communicating with Oncology Nurses about Values from the Outset (CONVO) specifically for Latinx participants. The program involves discussions between oncology nurses and patients about their health-related values as part of routine cancer care. The focus is on Spanish-speaking adults with solid tumors receiving medical oncology care at specific locations in the Bronx, New York. The study seeks to enhance communication and understanding of patient values in cancer treatment.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are Spanish-speaking adults aged 21 and older who are receiving medical oncology care for solid tumors.
Not a fit: Patients with hematologic malignancies or those who do not speak Spanish may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could improve patient-nurse communication and ensure that cancer care aligns more closely with the values of Latinx patients.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in improving patient communication and care through tailored interventions, suggesting a positive outlook for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * All participants will be adults (age ≥ 21) providing informed verbal consent. We seek a waiver of signed consent, which will allow use of virtual communication during the COVID-19 pandemic period. * Patients will be eligible as key informants in the translation/transcreation process (Aim 1) if they are receiving medical oncology care for a solid tumor malignancy at RLC, SBH, or Jacobi and speak Spanish as their preferred language. In addition, English-speaking Latinx patients will be eligible to participate in interviews based on the back-translated (Spanish-to-English) version of the Guide * We are focusing on patients with solid tumors rather than hematologic malignancies because 1) patients in the latter group may be receiving initial oncologic treatment in the hospital, whereas our study staff will be based at a distance from the hospital in the ambulatory clinics; 2) the trajectory, patient characteristics, and other aspects of hematologic malignancies tend to be different from solid tumor malignancies such that it would be more difficult to understand the overall impact of the intervention if patients with both types of malignancies w ere included. * Spanish-speaking family/other informal caregivers (collectively referred to as "family") who accompany participating patients to clinic will also be eligible to participate in interviews as part of the Aim 1 translation/transcreation process. These will be individual interviews, conducted separately for patient and family participants. * Clinicians eligible for participation in the transcreation will be oncology physicians, nurses and other key clinical staff (e.g. social workers, advance practice providers, etc.) at RLC and other MSK sites who are Latinx and/or whose practice includes \>20% Latinx patients. * Site leaders at SBH, Jacobi, and RLC with administrative responsibility for medical oncology will be eligible as key informants in transcreation of CONVO. * For the Aim 2 pilot trial, patients will be eligible if they are receiving systemic chemotherapy at SBH or Jacobi for a solid tumor; identify as Latinx; and speak English and/or Spanish. Family and/or informal caregivers who accompany the patient and speak English and/or Spanish will also be eligible (if the patient opts to include the family and/or informal caregiver in the CONVO discussion). * Nurses providing outpatient oncology care in chemotherapy areas at SBH or Jacobi will be eligible to participate in the pilot trial. Exclusion Criteria: * Inability to understand consent procedure in either English or Spanish will be an exclusion. (The consenting professional will be bilingual \[English/Spanish\] and able to explain and obtain consent in either language.)
Where this trial is running
New York, New York and 4 other locations
- MSK at Ralph Lauren (All Protocol Activities) — New York, New York, United States (RECRUITING)
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (All Protocol Activities) — New York, New York, United States (RECRUITING)
- SBH Health System — The Bronx, New York, United States (RECRUITING)
- Jacobi Medical Center — The Bronx, New York, United States (RECRUITING)
- New York Cancer & Blood Specialists (Data collection only) — The Bronx, New York, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Judith Nelson, MD — Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Judith Nelson, MD
- Email: nelsonj@mskcc.org
- Phone: 646-888-3107
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Solid Tumor, Solid Tumor, Adult, Solid Tumor, Unspecified, Adult, Spanish speaking, Latinx, 20-539, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center