Goals of care discussions for patients with advanced lung and gastrointestinal cancer in the emergency department

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

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.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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 it's running

• 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

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.