Understanding how bereaved parents and their child’s oncologist talk about prognosis when there’s uncertainty
Official title: Foundations of Communication in Uncertainty Study (FOCUS): Insights From Bereaved Parents and Oncologists
Run by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NCT07663539 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study asks bereaved parents of children who had cancer and their child’s oncologist to share how they talked about prognostic uncertainty and what could help improve those conversations.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Memphis, Tennessee) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 9, 2026 |
| Main results expected | December 2026 |
| Study ends | December 2026 |
| Registry record updated | July 28, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07663539 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (≥18 years) who are bereaved parents of a child with cancer treated at St. Jude, or the child’s primary oncologist at St. Jude, with consent from the parent and patient’s physician.
✕Probably not a fit
Participants who do not engage in conversations about prognostic uncertainty or whose experiences are not representative may not derive direct benefit.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This observational, qualitative study will gather insights from bereaved parents of pediatric cancer patients and their child’s oncologists through semi-structured interviews, either in-person or virtual. The goal is to understand experiences with communication about prognostic uncertainty during treatment and after bereavement, and to identify preferences and recommendations for how clinicians should discuss prognosis. Interviews may be supplemented with probing questions and de-identified demographic questions to contextualize responses. Participants include adults who meet eligibility criteria and have consented to participate, with data collected and analyzed to inform future communication practices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Findings could guide clinicians on how to talk about uncertainty more effectively with families and may improve future conversations around prognosis in pediatric cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Qualitative studies of communication in pediatric oncology have yielded actionable insights, though this specific focus on bereaved parents and prognostic uncertainty is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * All participants must be ≥ 18 years of age or legally emancipated * Parent Participants must have a child who: * Received cancer care from a clinician at St. Jude, as documented in the electronic medical record, AND * Died at least 6 months prior to enrollment, but no more than 24 months prior to enrollment. * Oncologist participants at St. Jude must: * Be listed as the primary oncologist as documented in the electronic medical record, AND * Have the respective patient's parent agreement to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: * Declining, refusal, or unwillingness to participate * Inability or unwillingness of research participant to give informed consent.
Where it's running
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Stephanie Gehle, MD — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Stephanie Gehle, MD
- Email: referralinfo@stjude.org
- Phone: 888-226-4343
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.