Telephone coaching to help people with advanced cancer and their support person plan for end-of-life care
Community-Engaged Pilot Testing of Talking About Cancer (TAC) to Improve Engagement in Advance Care Planning
This program tests whether two phone coaching sessions help people with advanced cancer and their support person have end-of-life conversations and complete advance directives.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Mount Vernon, Washington and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07141407 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Participants with stage III or IV cancer and a nominated support person are randomized to either two telephone-based coaching sessions delivered by a social worker or to receive an advance care planning brochure. Coaching sessions last 45-60 minutes weekly for two weeks and focus on communication, managing distress, and creating an action plan to complete advance directives and have goals-of-care conversations. The control arm receives written ACP materials only. Outcomes are measured at 6 and 12 weeks after randomization to see if coaching increases ACP conversations and completion of documents.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) with stage III or IV cancer who can give informed consent, speak English or Spanish, have access to a telephone or device, and can identify a support person willing to participate are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients who are too ill to participate, are currently receiving hospice care, lack a willing support person, or cannot communicate in English or Spanish are unlikely to receive benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase how often people with advanced cancer have goals-of-care conversations and complete advance directives, improving end-of-life care that matches their wishes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous clinician- or coach-led advance care planning interventions, including some telephone-based programs, have shown modest increases in conversations and documentation, though results have been mixed.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * PATIENT: Current diagnosis of stage III or IV cancer * PATIENT: Able to provide informed consent * PATIENT: Fluent in English or Spanish * PATIENT: Have access to a telephone, computer, or mobile device * CAREGIVER (SUPPORT PERSON): Person patient indicates provides support * CAREGIVER (SUPPORT PERSON): English or Spanish speaking * CAREGIVER (SUPPORT PERSON): 18 years of age or older * CAREGIVER (SUPPORT PERSON): Able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * PATIENT: Too ill or weak to complete the interviews (as judged by the interviewer) * PATIENT: Receiving hospice at the time of enrollment * PATIENT: Younger than age 18
Where this trial is running
Mount Vernon, Washington and 1 other locations
- Skagit Regional Health Cancer Care Center — Mount Vernon, Washington, United States (Recruiting)
- Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consortium — Seattle, Washington, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Megan Shen, PhD — Fred Hutch/University of Washington Cancer Consortium
- Study coordinator: Megan Shen, PhD
- Email: mshen2@fredhutch.org
- Phone: 206-667-4172
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.