How doctors' behaviors affect distress during radiation therapy

Impact of Physician Behavior on Cancer Distress

Mayo Clinic · NCT07325006

This study will see if certain physician behaviors during radiation therapy change how much distress adults with cancer experience.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment5000 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMayo Clinic (other)
Drugs / interventionsradiation
Locations1 site (Rochester, Minnesota)
Trial IDNCT07325006 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study enrolls adults with cancer who are currently receiving radiation therapy or completed it within the last month at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Participants who can read English and have Mayo Clinic patient portal access will report their experiences with physician behaviors and their distress levels via email or portal-based questionnaires. Researchers will analyze associations between reported clinician behaviors, other treatment-related factors, and patient-reported distress. No changes to clinical care are made as part of the study.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (18+) with a cancer diagnosis who are currently receiving radiation therapy or completed radiation within the past month at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, can read and write English, and have email and Mayo Clinic patient portal access.

Not a fit: Patients who are not undergoing radiation, were only seen in consultation without a radiation recommendation, cannot read English, lack email or portal access, or receive care outside Mayo Clinic Rochester are unlikely to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide physician communication and clinic practices to reduce distress for patients receiving radiation therapy.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows clinician communication and behavior can affect patient distress in cancer care, though this specific observational focus during radiation at Mayo Clinic is relatively narrow.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult (age 18+ years old)
* Must have a diagnosis of neoplasm
* Must be actively undergoing radiation therapy (RT) or have completed RT within the last month at Mayo Clinic in Rochester
* Able to read and write in English
* Must have email and Mayo Clinic patient portal access

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients who have not yet started RT
* Patients who have been seen in consultation but not recommended for radiation

Where this trial is running

Rochester, Minnesota

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm, Malignant Solid Neoplasm

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.