Ubuntu - I Am Because We Are

NCT05314179 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: HCC 21-265
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 15
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The program will provide Advocacy and Support for Black patients with advanced-stage cancer in the Pittsburgh area. The goals are to: 1) provide a community-based, trained companion to journey alongside the patient with advanced cancer, 2) to help the individual explore meaning and create legacy, 3); offer support and navigation for practical needs of illness (e.g., financial assistance for food and housing, accessing and affording medications, transportation); and 4) to provide support and connection for the bereaved family/friends, including facilitating community connections for routine health screenings and access to mental health services, as needed.

Conditions

Metastatic Cancer

Keywords

doula

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS)

  IPOS (Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale) is a measure of symptoms and concerns which matter to a patient and helps us provide the best care. IPOS forms to identify how we can best support the individual. There are 10 questions scored on a scale of 1-4, which assess a patient's symptoms and needs with regards to physical, social, psychological and spiritual. Higher scores indicate greater patient need for supportive care.

  Baseline, 3 months and 6 months

• Acceptability and feasibility of the Doula Program

  Acceptability and feasibility of doula program will be assessed by the Evaluation of the UPP Program questionnaire, which is comprised of 7 questions that will be used to rate participant satisfaction with the Doula Program that employ a scale of 1 (not at all) to 10 (to a great degree). Higher overall scores indicate greater satisfaction with the program.

  Up to 6 months

Study Arms (1)

Doula-Patient engagement

EXPERIMENTAL

Four hours/week of Ubuntu ambassador/Doula and Patient engagement. The nature and type of visits will be determined by the patient and doula. The doula will formulate weekly reports for each assigned patient. Weekly progress reporting - Weeks 2- 24.

Behavioral: Doula - Patient engagement

Interventions

Doula - Patient engagement BEHAVIORAL

Ubuntu ambassador/Doula and Patient will decide on details of engagement. The components to be included will be: 1) emotional support, 2) practical assistance, 3) family support, and/or 4) legacy building projects as per study protocols. The nature and type of visits will be determined by the patient and doula.

Doula-Patient engagement

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• have stage IV cancer
• identify as Black or African American 3. Participants must reside in or around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area

You may not qualify if:

• \. Do not live in the Pittsburgh region

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Pittsburgh: lead

Study Sites (1)

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15232, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neoplasm Metastasis

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neoplastic Processes; Neoplasms; Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Margaret Quinn Rosenzweig, PhD

  UPMC Hillman Cancer Center

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Model Details: Pre and post intervention pilot study

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 28, 2022
• First Posted: April 6, 2022
• Study Start: March 13, 2022
• Primary Completion: July 2, 2025
• Study Completion: July 2, 2025
• Last Updated: July 23, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)