CARE Tool to help patients understand cancer care costs
Implement and Evaluate the CARE Tool in a Randomized Trial
This study will test a web-based CARE Tool that gives adults with gynecologic, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer clear information about treatment costs, insurance, and resources to help with medical bills.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 430 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Washington University School of Medicine Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Alton, Illinois and 2 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07296887 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a multi-site randomized implementation trial of the web-based CARE Tool that provides information on cancer care costs, insurance coverage, and available financial resources. The trial engages both patients and implementation champions (clinical staff, financial navigators, social workers, and billing team members) and includes CARE Tool training plus financial education materials. Sites will randomize implementation and track how the tool is used, how it affects patients' ability to navigate insurance and access resources, and measures of financial barriers. The goal is to identify whether the CARE Tool improves patients' access to cost-related information and support across different hospital settings.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (age 18+) diagnosed or with recurrent gynecologic, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer within the past 12 months who are receiving cancer treatment at one of the participating hospitals are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who are under 18, treated outside the listed participating sites, or whose cancer type is not one of the four targeted cancers are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could get clearer cost and insurance information, connect to financial resources more quickly, and face less financial strain related to cancer care.
How similar studies have performed: Previous financial-navigation and cost-transparency programs in oncology have shown promise in improving patient knowledge and reducing financial distress, but multi-site randomized implementation data remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria for Implementation champions: \- Members of the cancer care team (e.g., physicians, nurses, research coordinators, financial navigators, social workers) that work with patients receiving treatment for gynecologic, lung, prostate, or colorectal cancer; or members of the billing team and employee of Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, Delbert Day Cancer Institute at Phelps Health, or Alton Memorial Hospital Exclusion Criteria for Implementation champions: * Implementation champions are ineligible if they are non-employees of Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University, Delbert Day Cancer Institute at Phelps Health, or Alton Memorial Hospital * Do not treat patients for gynecologic, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer Inclusion Criteria for Patients: * Age 18 and over * Primary or recurrent diagnosis of gynecologic, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer in the last 12 months * Receiving cancer treatment from Siteman Cancer Center, Delbert Day Cancer Institute at Phelps Health, or Alton Memorial Hospital * Self-reported ability to read and speak English Exclusion Criteria for Patients: * Under the age of 18 * Not diagnosed with gynecologic, prostate, lung, or colorectal cancer within the previous 12 months from recruitment * Not receiving care at Siteman Cancer Center, Delbert Day Cancer Institute at Phelps Health, or Alton Memorial Hospital * Cannot give consent due to cognitive or emotional barriers
Where this trial is running
Alton, Illinois and 2 other locations
- Alton Memorial Hospital — Alton, Illinois, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Delbert Day Cancer Institute at Phelps Health — Rolla, Missouri, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Washington University School of Medicine — St Louis, Missouri, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ashley Housten, OTD, MSCI, OTR/L — Washington University School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Ashley Housten, OTD, MSCI, OTR/L
- Email: ahousten@wustl.edu
- Phone: 314-454-7958
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.