Goals of care discussions for patients with advanced lung and gastrointestinal cancer in the emergency department
Goals of Care Discussion for Patients With Advanced Lung and Gastrointestinal Cancer in the Emergency Department of a Comprehensive Cancer Center
This study is testing if having goals of care conversations in the emergency department can improve the quality of life for patients with advanced lung and gastrointestinal cancers and help them spend less time in the hospital.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Houston, Texas) |
| Trial ID | NCT06420206 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to enhance the quality of life for patients with advanced lung and gastrointestinal cancers by implementing goals of care discussions in the emergency department. It compares the percentage of days spent in acute care settings between patients receiving this intervention and those who do not over a 30-day period. Additionally, it evaluates secondary outcomes such as ICU admissions, hospital deaths, symptom improvement, hospice referrals, survival rates, and overall care costs. The goal is to provide better support for patients and their families while potentially reducing healthcare costs.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with advanced lung or gastrointestinal cancer who present to the emergency department and meet specific clinical criteria.
Not a fit: Patients who are already enrolled in hospice or have severe communication barriers may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve the quality of life and care outcomes for patients with advanced cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with similar interventions aimed at improving care discussions and outcomes for advanced cancer patients.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Participant is at least 18 years old presenting to the triage area of the MDACC ACCC for treatment 2. Participant has advanced lung or GI cancer. Advanced cancer patient defined as: locally recurrent or metastatic for which there is no curative treatment available. 3. Participant screens positive for at least 2 of 3 triple threat conditions (dyspnea, altered mental status, or poor performance status) 4. Participant has the ability to speak and write in English 5. Participant has the ability to provide consent OR is accompanied by a LAR able to provide consent Exclusion Criteria: 1. Participant is already enrolled in hospice 2. Participant is comatose 3. Participant has severe intellectual disability 4. Participant has a history of dementia documented in the medical records 5. Participant has baseline communication barriers such as aphasia or deafness 6. Participant is new to MDACC, without established oncology care at our institution at time of ACCC arrival 7. Participant is 18 years or older, currently cared for by pediatrics service 8. Pregnant women 9. Prisoners
Where this trial is running
Houston, Texas
- MD Anderson Cancer Center — Houston, Texas, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Ahmed Elsayem, MD,MPH — M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Ahmed Elsayem, MD,MPH
- Email: aelsayem@mdanderson.org
- Phone: (713) 745-9911
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.