Group advanced care planning sessions for veterans newly diagnosed with cancer
Group Advanced Care Planning Pilot for Veterans
This will test whether two group education sessions led by VA community health workers help veterans with new cancer diagnoses learn about and complete advance care planning compared with usual mailed materials.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Palo Alto Health Care System Federal |
| Locations | 1 site (Palo Alto, California) |
| Trial ID | NCT06646614 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized pilot enrolls 60 veterans with newly diagnosed cancer and assigns them to usual care (mailed educational materials) or usual care plus a two-session group advanced care planning program led by trained community health workers or health educators. Group sessions last 60–90 minutes each and may be delivered in person at VA Palo Alto, by VA-approved video conference, or as a hybrid. Outcomes will be measured with pre/post surveys and interviews to compare knowledge, documentation, and conversations about goals of care. The study focuses on feasibility and preliminary effectiveness in the VA Palo Alto patient population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Veterans aged 18 or older with a new cancer diagnosis who speak English, can provide consent, and will remain in VA Palo Alto care for at least four months are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Patients who cannot consent, who do not speak English, who plan to leave the VA system within four months, or who already have completed and documented advance care plans may not benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could increase conversations about goals of care and the completion and documentation of advance directives among veterans with cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior facilitator-led and group advanced care planning interventions have shown modest increases in documentation and care discussions, though results vary and evidence specifically in veterans with cancer is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. All patients \>18 years old with newly diagnosed cancer are eligible. 2. Patients must have the ability to understand and willingness to provide verbal consent 3. Participants must speak English Exclusion Criteria: 1. Inability to consent to the study 2. Plans to move within the area and leave the VA system within 4 months
Where this trial is running
Palo Alto, California
- VA Palo Alto — Palo Alto, California, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Manali I Patel, MD MPH MS
- Email: manalip@stanford.edu
- Phone: 6504935000
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.