Improving communication between cancer patients and providers with TrialTalk™
Official title: Evaluating the Impact of TrialTalkTM; to Foster Equitable Cancer Care
Run by University of Wisconsin, Madison · NCT06985953 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether online TrialTalk™ training helps adult cancer patients and their hematology/oncology providers communicate more clearly during routine clinic visits.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 135 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Wisconsin, Madison Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Chicago, Illinois and 2 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 18, 2025 |
| Main results expected | February 2027 |
| Study ends | February 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 15, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06985953 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are adults (≥18) with confirmed cancer who identify as Black/African American or non-Hispanic White, can read English, have had prior visits with an enrolled hematology/oncology provider, and are potentially eligible for therapeutic phase I–III trials.
✕Probably not a fit
Non-English speakers, patients with moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment, those previously enrolled in a cancer intervention clinical trial, or patients whose providers already used TrialTalk™ are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Participating hematologists, medical oncologists, and fellows complete a four-module online TrialTalk™ curriculum that teaches a structured conversational process and diagram to use in patient meetings. Adult patients with a confirmed cancer diagnosis who have previously seen the enrolled provider complete questionnaires immediately before and after a standard clinic visit. The main comparison is patient-reported communication quality tied to provider completion of the TrialTalk™ training. The intervention is delivered online to providers at three U.S. academic sites while patient outcomes are collected at those clinic visits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could have clearer discussions about treatment and trial options, improving understanding and shared decision-making.
How similar studies have gone: Prior clinician communication-training programs in oncology have shown modest improvements in clinician behaviors, patient understanding, and satisfaction, although TrialTalk™ as this specific online curriculum is relatively new.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria - Providers: * Hematologists, medical oncologists, or hematology/oncology fellows * Willing to complete TrialTalk™ training Inclusion Criteria - Patients: * ≥ 18 years old * have a confirmed diagnosis of cancer * identify as Black, African American, or non-Hispanic White * can read and understand English to complete the study questionnaires * had previous visits with the enrolled provider Exclusion Criteria - Providers: * providers who received previous training in the TrialTalk™ method or used it in practice before will be excluded Exclusion Criteria - Patients: \- have moderate to severe cognitive impairment as determined by participant's provider
Where it's running
-
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, Wisconsin, United States Recruiting -
Northwestern Memorial Hospital
Chicago, Illinois, United States Not yet recruiting -
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, United States Not yet recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Monica Patel, MD — University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Study coordinator: Cancer Connect
- Email: clinicaltrials@cancer.wisc.edu
- Phone: 800-622-8922
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.