Evaluating a Bidirectional Priming Intervention for Goals-of-care Communication in Oncology

NCT06955468 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: UPCC 26924
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This pilot study will evaluate whether an intervention aimed at hospitalized patients with advanced lung and gastrointestinal cancers can help facilitate goals-of-care (GOC) communication with their oncologists after discharge. While GOC communication is a recommended component of routine oncology care, many patients with solid cancers do not have the opportunity to talk with their oncologist about their goals and end-of-life preferences. Prior research has shown that a systematic method of prompting GOC communication with at-risk patients would address a key barrier to timely GOC communication and ensure that patients receive care that is in line with their personal preferences. This trial will enroll 80 participants, who will be randomized 1:1 to either an intervention or a control group. Participants in the intervention group will complete a short survey regarding their goals, preferences, and disease understanding. Survey responses will be shared with each participant's outpatient oncology team. Oncologists will subsequently receive a nudge in the electronic medical record reminding them of key survey responses and encouraging them to discuss them at the patient's first clinic visit after hospital discharge. The primary feasibility outcome is intervention completion rate and the primary clinical outcome is GOC documentation within 30 days of discharge in the intervention group compared to the control group.

Conditions

Lung Cancers; Gastrointestinal Cancers

Keywords

Communication

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Intervention Completion Rate

  The primary feasibility outcome is intervention completion rate, defined as successful completion of the survey, response sharing, and electronic medical record nudge for all participants assigned to the intervention arm.

  From enrollment to 30 days after hospital discharge

• GOC Documentation

  The presence of outpatient goals-of-care documentation in the electronic medical record within 30 days of hospital discharge as determined by manual review.

  From enrollment to 30 days after hospital discharge

Study Arms (2)

Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in the intervention arm will complete a survey prior to hospital discharge. Their responses will be shared with each participant's outpatient oncology team.

Behavioral: Priming Survey

Control

NO INTERVENTION

Interventions

Priming Survey BEHAVIORAL

13-item priming survey assessing patients' goals, treatment preferences, and disease understanding.

Intervention

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Unplanned admission to the HUP Solid Oncology service;
• Underlying diagnosis of advanced lung or GI cancer, defined as metastatic or locally advanced disease;
• Anticipated discharge within the next 72h; and
• Primary oncologist is based at HUP; or
• Family member/caregiver of a patient meeting the above 4 criteria.

You may not qualify if:

• \. Unable to complete survey in English.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Conquer Cancer Foundation: collaborator
• Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine: lead

Study Sites (1)

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Lung Neoplasms; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Communication

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Respiratory Tract Neoplasms; Thoracic Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Digestive System Neoplasms; Digestive System Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Behavior

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 25, 2025
• First Posted: May 2, 2025
• Study Start: July 21, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 26, 2026
• Study Completion: March 1, 2026
• Last Updated: March 4, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)