Improving communication between cancer patients and providers with TrialTalk™
Evaluating the Impact of TrialTalkTM; to Foster Equitable Cancer Care
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
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Wisconsin, Madison Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Chicago, Illinois and 2 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06985953 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
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.
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.
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 performed: 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.
Eligibility criteria
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 * potentially eligible for a therapeutic phase I, II or III clinical trial * 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: * previous enrollment in cancer intervention clinical trial * have moderate to severe cognitive impairment
Where this trial is running
Chicago, Illinois and 2 other locations
- Northwestern Memorial Hospital — Chicago, Illinois, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, South Carolina, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- University of Wisconsin - Madison — Madison, Wisconsin, United States (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
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.