Impact of Physician Behavior on Cancer Distress

NCT07325006 | Recruiting

• 3 other identifiers: ROR2503NCI-2025-0916424-011548
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 5,000
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This evaluates the impact of physician behaviors and other factors experienced during radiation treatment influence distress levels in cancer patients.

Conditions

Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm; Malignant Solid Neoplasm

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (5)

• Explore what physician behaviors contribute to patients' cancer distress

  Participants will indicate levels of distress on an 11-point Likert scale (10=extreme distress; 0=no distress). Physician behaviors that contribute to patients' cancer distress (as reported by patients) will be assessed using a free-text question. Topics and contextual factors will be identified by searching for themes with a thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics will be utilized to broadly analyze results. Data will initially be analyzed in its entirety. Subgroup analyses will then be done for patients who have vs have not experienced clinically significant distress (past or current score of 4+ on the distress thermometer). Additional subgroup analyses may be conducted depending on response.

  Baseline (at enrollment)

• Explore what physician behaviors lessen patients' cancer distress

  Participants will indicate levels of distress on an 11-point Likert scale (10=extreme distress; 0=no distress). Physician behaviors that lessen patients' cancer distress (as reported by patients) will be assessed using a free-text question. Topics and contextual factors will be identified by searching for themes with a thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics will be utilized to broadly analyze results. Data will initially be analyzed in its entirety. Subgroup analyses will then be done for patients who have vs have not experienced clinically significant distress (past or current score of 4+ on the distress thermometer). Additional subgroup analyses may be conducted depending on response.

  Baseline (at enrollment)

• Explore how non-physician factors in the patient care experience contribute to patients' cancer distress

  Participants will indicate levels of distress on an 11-point Likert scale (10=extreme distress; 0=no distress). Other factors that contribute to patients' cancer distress (as reported by patients) will be assessed using a free-text question. Topics and contextual factors will be identified by searching for themes with a thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics will be utilized to broadly analyze results. Data will initially be analyzed in its entirety. Subgroup analyses will then be done for patients who have vs have not experienced clinically significant distress (past or current score of 4+ on the distress thermometer). Additional subgroup analyses may be conducted depending on response.

  Baseline (at enrollment)

• Explore how non-physician factors in the patient care experience lessen patients' cancer distress

  Participants will indicate levels of distress on an 11-point Likert scale (10=extreme distress; 0=no distress). Other factors that lessen patients' cancer distress (as reported by patients) will be assessed using a free-text question. Topics and contextual factors will be identified by searching for themes with a thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics will be utilized to broadly analyze results. Data will initially be analyzed in its entirety. Subgroup analyses will then be done for patients who have vs have not experienced clinically significant distress (past or current score of 4+ on the distress thermometer). Additional subgroup analyses may be conducted depending on response.

  Baseline (at enrollment)

• Patient ratings of preference for physician-initiated conversations

  Patient ratings of preference for physician-initiated conversations on five sensitive topics: mental health, sexual health, financial health, cancer survival and mortality/prognosis, and personal relationship dynamics will be assessed using a study-specific survey. Responses are recorded on a Likert scale of 0-10 where 0=not at all and 10=very much so. Descriptive statistics will be utilized to analyze results.

  Baseline (at enrollment)

Study Arms (1)

Observational

Patients complete a survey and have their medical records reviewed on study. Patients who score a 7 or higher on the NCCN distress thermometer receive distress management patient education materials and recommendation to follow up with their care team.

Other: Non-Interventional Study

Interventions

Non-Interventional Study OTHER

Non-interventional study

Also known as: Non-Interventional Observational Study, Noninterventional (Observational) Study

Observational

Eligibility Criteria

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

Study Population

Cancer patients who are undergoing or have completed radiation therapy within the last month at Mayo Clinic in Rochester

You may qualify if:

• Adult (age 18+ years old)
• Must have a diagnosis of neoplasm
• Must be actively undergoing radiation therapy (RT) or have completed RT within the last month at Mayo Clinic in Rochester
• Able to read and write in English
• Must have email and Mayo Clinic patient portal access

You may not qualify if:

• Patients who have not yet started RT
• Patients who have been seen in consultation but not recommended for radiation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Mayo Clinic: lead

Study Sites (1)

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States

RECRUITING

Related Links

• Mayo Clinic Clinical Trials

Study Officials

• May Elbanna, MB, BCh, PhD

  Mayo Clinic

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Clinical Trials Referral Office

CONTACT

855-776-0015; mayocliniccancerstudies@mayo.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 22, 2025
• First Posted: January 8, 2026
• Study Start: November 24, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2030
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 30, 2030
• Last Updated: January 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-12

Locations

US (1)