Understanding the in-home hospice experience for breast cancer patients
The COMPASSION Study: Applying Telehealth to Innovate and Strengthen Connections for Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer Receiving Hospice Care
This study looks at how to improve hospice care for breast cancer patients at home by checking in with them and their caregivers through telehealth to see what works best.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Boston, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT06507930 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This research focuses on the in-home hospice experience for individuals with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer. It involves conducting telehealth check-ins between participants, their caregivers, hospice nurses, and oncology providers to gather insights and improve care. Approximately 200 participants, including patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers, will be involved in the study, which includes verbal consent and a follow-up survey. The study aims to enhance the quality of hospice care through better communication and understanding.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are patients of any gender with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer who are eligible for in-home hospice services.
Not a fit: Patients who are unable to provide verbal consent or whose hospice care is planned outside of a home setting may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve the hospice experience and care for patients with advanced breast cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in improving patient care through telehealth interventions, indicating potential for positive outcomes in this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patient of any gender with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer * Eligible for in-home hospice services and referred by DFCI clinical team to in-home hospice \</= 1 week before enrollment * Ability to conduct video or phone check-ins, even if assistance required. * Able to provide verbal consent with a willingness to take a survey at 4-6 weeks, if medically able * Hospice setting is within Massachusetts * Non-English language allowed but interpreter services must be present at each meeting and will be coordinated by scheduling team * Willingness to provide a caregiver/loved one's contact information for survey contact at 4 weeks after enrollment Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to provide verbal consent * Hospice care planned outside of a home setting (note: if participants start out in a home hospice setting but later transition their hospice care to an inpatient setting, enrollment is allowed as long as they started in a home setting) * Hospice setting outside of Massachusetts * Individuals who are under the age of 18, as this is not a project focused on pediatric patients.
Where this trial is running
Boston, Massachusetts
- Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — Boston, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Claire Smith, MD — Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
- Study coordinator: Claire Smith, MD
- Email: claire_smith@dfci.harvard.edu
- Phone: 617-632-3800
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.