Palliative care intervention for older adults with advanced cancer in skilled nursing facilities

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 clinical trial aims to evaluate the feasibility of delivering a palliative care intervention called ALIGN to older adults with advanced cancer who are transitioning from acute care hospitals to skilled nursing facilities. Participants will engage in virtual visits with a palliative care social worker every 1-2 weeks during their stay and up to 45 days post-discharge. The study will also focus on preparing caregivers to make informed medical decisions for their loved ones. Researchers will compare the outcomes of the ALIGN intervention with standard care practices.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Patients

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Adults between 18-98 years
2. Stage I-IV solid tumors
3. Discharging from an acute care hospital to a SNF in Colorado
4. English speaking
5. Receiving or establishing care at the University of Colorado Cancer Center
6. If a patient lacks capacity, a legal surrogate decision-maker will be approached to provide proxy consent.
7. Must have access to the technology needed to complete consenting visit and subsequent intervention visits. This includes internet access through a computer, tablet, or smartphone OR cellular service with adequate allowance of cellular minutes to allow virtual visits.
8. Must have an email address or caregiver with an email address to facilitate communication during the trial

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Discharging with hospice care
2. Age less than 18
3. Lacking capacity without a legal surrogate decision maker or proxy.
4. Limited English proficiency
5. Hospitalized for a planned admission or procedure
6. Have any pschological or physical symptom, medication or other relevant finding prior to randomization, based on the clinical judgement of the PI or relevant clinical study staff that would make a participant unsuitable for the study

Caregivers

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patient-selected
2. Age ≥ 18
3. English speaking
4. Able to complete baseline measures.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Discharging with hospice care
2. Age ≤ 18
3. Caregivers with limited English proficiency will be excluded as ALIGN intervention content and documents have only been validated in an English-speaking population.
4. Have any pschological or physical symptom, medication or other relevant finding prior to randomization, based on the clinical judgement of the PI or relevant clinical study staff that would make a participant unsuitable for the study

SNF Staff

Inclusion Criteria:

1\. Working at a SNF that cared for a patient who received the ALIGN intervention

Exclusion Criteria:

1\. Not employed by a community SNF where patients were discharged to during the pilot trial

PCSW

Inclusion Criteria:

1\. PCSWs who conducted the ALIGN intervention and consent to an interview

Where it's running

• University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
  Aurora, Colorado, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Sarguni Singh, MD — University of Colorado, Denver
• Study coordinator: Sarguni Singh, MD
• Email: sarguni.singh@cuanschutz.edu
• Phone: 503.703.0797

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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.