Evaluating a Virtual Oncology Program for Veterans with Cancer

Evaluating the Implementation of a Comprehensive Multilevel Virtual Oncology Program Among Veterans Diagnosed With Lung, Colorectal, Prostate, and Breast Cancers in the US Department of Veterans Affairs

This study is testing a virtual cancer care program for veterans to see if it helps them get better treatment and support for lung, colorectal, prostate, and breast cancers.

Quick facts

• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 1800 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: NYU Langone Health (Academic / other)
• Locations: 5 sites (Brooklyn, New York and 4 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06559059 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to assess the effectiveness of the VA National TeleOncology program, a telehealth initiative designed to improve cancer care for veterans diagnosed with lung, colorectal, prostate, and breast cancers. By utilizing the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA), the study will identify eligible patients and analyze their telehealth engagement, clinical quality, and healthcare costs. The focus is on understanding how social determinants affect telehealth access and outcomes, ultimately promoting health equity among veterans.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include veterans aged 18 and older who have been newly diagnosed with lung, prostate, breast, or colon cancer within three months of their telemedicine visit.

Not a fit: Patients who have not engaged with VA providers in the past year or those with a prior diagnosis of the specified cancers will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this program could enhance cancer care delivery and accessibility for veterans, leading to improved health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with telehealth interventions in oncology, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Patients Inclusion Criteria:

1. A Veteran
2. Aged 18 years or older
3. Newly diagnosed with lung, prostate, breast, or colon cancer within 3 months of telemedicine visit
4. Engaged in an oncology visit during the 36-month analysis period at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) location.

VAMC Providers and Staff Inclusion Criteria:

1. Provider or staff member at one of the VAMC locations including physicians, nurse practitioners, physicians' assistants, and nurses caring for Veterans
2. Providers or staff members having helped provide care for at least 5 Veterans with cancer in the previous 6 months at a VAMC location

Patients Exclusion Criteria:

1. Veterans who have not seen any providers in the VA within the past year
2. Patients previously diagnosed with lung, prostate, breast, or colon cancer
3. Pregnant patients

VAMC Providers and Staff Exclusion Criteria:

1\. Providers or staff members who do not help treat Veterans with specified cancers in oncology at the VA

Where this trial is running

Brooklyn, New York and 4 other locations

• VA New York Harbor Healthcare System - Brooklyn — Brooklyn, New York, United States (Recruiting)
• VA New York Harbor Healthcare System - St. Albans Community Living Center — Jamaica, New York, United States (Recruiting)
• VA New York Harbor Health Care System - Manhattan — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
• VA New York Harbor Healthcare System - Harlem Community Center — New York, New York, United States (Recruiting)
• VA New York Harbor Healthcare System - Staten Island Community Clinic — Staten Island, New York, United States (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Danil Makarov, MD, MHS — NYU Langone Health
• Study coordinator: Janeth Juarez Padilla

Conditions Lung Cancer Diagnosis; Colorectal Cancer; Prostate Cancer Diagnosis; Breast Cancer Diagnosis