Mental health care for older cancer patients
Mental Health Care Initiation Intervention for Older Adults With Cancer
This study is testing a new way to connect older cancer patients with mental health services to see if it helps them feel better compared to the usual method.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 130 (estimated) |
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Trial ID | NCT06037954 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 65 and older diagnosed with breast, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer who are currently undergoing treatment or have completed treatment within the last six months and are experiencing depressive symptoms.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have a diagnosis of cancer or are under 65 years old may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve access to mental health care for older cancer patients, enhancing their overall well-being.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in improving mental health care access for cancer patients, suggesting that this approach may be beneficial.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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 this trial is running
New York, New York
- 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
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.