Community support program to address families' social needs during childhood cancer care
Developing and Refining an Intervention to Assess and Address Health-Related Social Needs Among Families of Children With Cancer
This project will try a community-designed support program (CERCA) to help families of children with cancer get services for unmet social needs.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Wake Forest University Health Sciences Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) |
| Trial ID | NCT07278414 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The team will identify unmet health-related social needs (HRSN) among families of children with cancer and map existing clinic and community resources to address them. Using interviews, clinical workflow observations, and co-design workshops with caregivers, community organization representatives, and healthcare staff, they will develop and refine the CERCA intervention. Workshops and interviews may be virtual or in person and the process focuses on creating sustainable community partnerships rather than changing medical treatment. Results will inform procedures for screening and referral pathways to better connect families to food, housing, transportation, mental health, and other supports.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are caregivers aged 18 or older of children under 18 who are currently receiving cancer treatment or finished treatment within the past year, and who speak English or Spanish.
Not a fit: Families without unmet social needs, caregivers under 18, those who do not speak English or Spanish, or families whose child's treatment ended more than a year ago are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, CERCA could make it easier for families to get stable services like food, housing, transportation, and caregiver support, reducing stress and helping children stay in care.
How similar studies have performed: Related programs linking patients to social supports have improved outcomes in other pediatric and adult settings, but co-designed HRSN interventions tailored specifically to pediatric oncology are still limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Caregivers of Children with Cancer * A caregiver of a child (\<18 years old) actively receiving treatment or recently completed treatment (within the past 1 year prior to enrollment) for any type of cancer. A caregiver is defined as any individual involved in bringing the child to the clinic or providing care at home, the hospital, or other healthcare setting (e.g., parents, guardians, siblings, etc.). * Ability to understand IRB-approved information sheet and willingness to provide consent. * Age ≥ 18 years at the time of consent. * Ability to understand the English and/or Spanish language. Community-based Organizations * Representative of community-based organizations that provide resources for families of children with cancer * Ability to understand IRB-approved information sheet and willingness to provide consent. * Age ≥ 18 years at the time of consent. * Ability to understand English and/or Spanish language. Healthcare Professionals * Physicians, advanced practice practitioners, nurses, clinical social workers, medical assistants, clinic patient service representatives, and cancer center administrators at AHWFBC. * Ability to understand IRB-approved information sheet and willingness to provide consent. * Age ≥ 18 years at the time of consent. * Ability to understand English and/or Spanish language. Exclusion Criteria: * There are no specific exclusion criteria.
Where this trial is running
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center — Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Joanna M Robles, MD — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Katherine Brinkley
- Email: katherine.brinkley@advocatehealth.org
- Phone: 336-702-4483
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.