Mobile app to help cancer patients with advance care planning
Planning Advance Care Together (PACT) to Improve Engagement in Advance Care Planning
This study tests whether a mobile app can help cancer patients talk about and plan their future care wishes with their families and doctors better than standard care alone.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 400 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Manhasset, New York and 3 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT04515810 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of a mobile health application called Planning Advance Care Together (PACT) designed to assist cancer patients in discussing and planning their advance care preferences with family and healthcare providers. Participants are randomly assigned to either use the PACT app or receive standard care without modifications. The study aims to enhance patient engagement in advance care planning by incorporating their social networks into the process. Follow-up assessments are conducted at 3 and 6 months post-intervention to evaluate outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults aged 18 and older with a diagnosis of advanced cancer and access to a mobile device.
Not a fit: Patients without access to a mobile device or those who are unable to engage in discussions about their care preferences may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this app could significantly improve communication and planning for end-of-life care among cancer patients and their families.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using mobile health applications for patient engagement, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * PATIENT: Diagnosis of poor prognosis advanced cancer defined as locally advanced or metastatic cancer and/or disease progression following at least first line systemic therapy. * PATIENT: Access to a mobile device; the principal investigator (PI) will ensure that those who have access to a mobile device have access to a mobile device with internet access to ensure they can complete study procedures. * PATIENT: The ability to provide informed consent. * PATIENT: Identification and enrollment of a loved support person. * PATIENT: 18 years of age or older. * SUPPORT PERSON: The person (family member or friend) whom the patient indicates being a support person. * SUPPORT PERSON: English speaking. * SUPPORT PERSON: 18 years of age or older and able to provide informed consent. * PROVIDER: Current clinical practice and/or research with advanced cancer patients. * PROVIDER: A history of 3+ years working with advanced cancer patients. * PROVIDER: 18 years of age or older. Providers across disciplines (e.g., social work, oncology) will be enrolled. Exclusion Criteria: * PATIENT: Not fluent in English. * PATIENT: Severely cognitively impaired (as measured by Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire scores of \>= 6) to be delivered by trained study research staff during screening. * PATIENT: Too ill or weak to complete the interviews (as judged by the interviewer). * PATIENT: Currently receiving hospice at the time of enrollment. * PATIENT: Children and young adults under age 18. * PATIENT: Resides outside of the United States. * SUPPORT PERSON AND PROVIDERS: Resides outside of the United States.
Where this trial is running
Manhasset, New York and 3 other locations
- Northwell Health — Manhasset, New York, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Mount Sinai Hospital — New York, New York, United States (Active_not_recruiting)
- NYP/Weill Cornell Medical Center — New York, New York, United States (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consortium — Seattle, Washington, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Megan J Shen, PhD — Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consortium
- Study coordinator: Claudia De Los Santos, B.S.
- Email: cdelossa@fredhutch.org
- Phone: 206-667-1565
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.