Virtual tumor board for patients with cancer and serious mental illness
Adapting the Tumor Board Model for Mental Illness and Cancer: A Single Arm Pilot Trial
This study is testing a virtual meeting system for patients with serious mental illness who have cancer to see if it helps improve their treatment and support.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Massachusetts General Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Danvers, Massachusetts) |
| Trial ID | NCT05837598 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual tumor board designed for patients with serious mental illness (SMI) who have recently been diagnosed with cancer. It aims to improve access to psycho-oncology and oncology expertise, enhance clinician communication, and address barriers to care. The intervention includes proactive identification of patients, bi-monthly virtual meetings, and collaborative planning for patient care. The study will assess changes in cancer treatment, psychiatric symptoms, and clinician confidence in managing this dual diagnosis population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with serious mental illness and a new diagnosis of invasive cancer.
Not a fit: Patients with cognitive impairments that prevent informed consent or those with recurrent cancer may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve cancer care and mental health outcomes for patients with serious mental illness.
How similar studies have performed: While virtual tumor boards have shown success in improving cancer care, this specific adaptation for mental illness and cancer is novel and untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age ≥ 18 years old 2. Verbal fluency in English 3. SMI (schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder with either prior psychiatric hospitalization, history of suicide attempt/suicidal ideation, Medicaid insurance, and/or comorbid alcohol or opioid use disorder) confirmed by diagnostic evaluation of study psychiatrist 4. New invasive stage I-IV breast, lung, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, or head and neck cancer (highly suspected or confirmed according to documentation by the oncologist or pathology) 5. Oncology consultation at or referral to a MGH Danvers within the past 8 weeks Exclusion Criteria: 1. Have cognitive impairment severe enough to interfere with completing brief study assessments or providing informed consent and does not have a guardian who can provide consent 2. Recurrence of same cancer type 3. Do not have verbal fluency in English
Where this trial is running
Danvers, Massachusetts
- Mass General/North Shore Center for Outpatient Care — Danvers, Massachusetts, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Kelly Irwin, MD, MPH
- Email: kirwin1@partners.org
- Phone: 617-643-4453
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.