Mental health care for older cancer patients

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 evaluates mental health services for adults aged 65 and older who have been diagnosed with breast, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer and are experiencing depressed mood. It compares the traditional method of connecting these patients to mental health services with a new approach called Open Door for Cancer (OD-C). The study aims to determine the practicality and usefulness of the OD-C approach for both patients and healthcare providers involved in cancer treatment. Participants will engage in questionnaires, interviews, and 30-minute telephone or videoconference sessions to assess their mental health needs.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients

* Per medical record and/or self-report, diagnosed with breast, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer at age 65 years or older
* Per medical record and/or self-report, undergoing active cancer treatment (e.g., radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery) or within six months of completing treatment
* Score of ≥5 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
* Per self-report, fluent in English\*\* \*\* Language verification: Prior to enrollment, patients will be asked the following two questions by a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) to verify English fluency necessary for participation in the study:

  1. How well do you speak English? (must respond "very well" or "well" when given the choices of Very well, Well, Not well, Not at all, Don't know, or Refused)
  2. What is your preferred language for healthcare? (must respond English)

Providers

* Per self-report, works in oncology, nursing, social work, psychology, or psychiatry
* Per self-report, currently works in oncology at least 50% of the time
* Per self-report, provided cancer care for at least three years at time of consent
* Per self-report, fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients

* Severely cognitively impaired as demonstrated by Blessed Orientation Memory Concentration scores of ≥ 11
* Per research staff judgment and/or self-report, too ill or weak to complete study procedures
* Per medical record and/or self-report, receiving hospice care at the time of enrollment
* Per medical record and/or self-report, currently enrolled in mental health treatment

Providers

* N/A

Where it's running

• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
  New York, New York, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Kelly McConnell, PhD — Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Study coordinator: Kelly McConnell, PhD
• Email: mcconnek@mskcc.org
• Phone: 646-888-0026

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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.