From Screening to Support: A Multi-Method Analysis of HRSN Integration in Cancer Care

NCT07352579 | Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: iRISID-2025-1005JT 46229
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 500
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This observational study aims to identify the factors that influence whether cancer patients accept or decline supportive care services after screening positive for health-related social needs (HRSNs) at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center. The study focuses on adult oncology patients who previously reported at least one HRSN-such as transportation, food, housing, or utility needs-but declined assistance when it was offered. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• What factors shape cancer patients' intentions to use supportive care services for HRSNs?
• Why do patients who screen positive for HRSNs choose not to accept help offered by the healthcare system? Participants will:
• Complete a one-time electronic survey delivered via MyChart or email.
• Optionally participate in a semi-structured Zoom interview (for a subset of 20-30 survey respondents) to explore decision-making in greater depth.

Conditions

Cancer

Keywords

Health-Related Social Needs; HRSNs; transportation access; food insecurity; housing instability; utility needs; Survey; Interview

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Factors influencing cancer patients' intent to use oncology supportive care for HRSNs

  Measured via Surveys (self-reported) using a structured questionnaires with binary (Yes/No) responses and Likert Style questions (Quality of Life and FACT-ES).

  approximately 4 months

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Factors associated with declining HSRN-related supportive care services

  approximately 4 months

Study Arms (1)

Cancer Patients Screened for Health-Related Social Needs (HRSNs)

This group includes adult cancer patients receiving care at Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC) who previously completed a Health-Related Social Needs (HRSNs) screening in the electronic health record. This will be achieved by providing patients with a one-time survey. The surveys will be distributed via MyChart messages and emails. Additionally, 20 patients who complete the survey will be asked to complete a short interview to further understand why cancer patients identified as high-risk for HRSNs decline connections to care and intervention-ultimately to gain an understanding into the factors that they take into account when determining whether they want to be connected to a resource or service connection related to HRSNs.

Other: Survey; Other: Interview

Interventions

Survey OTHER

Participants complete a one-time electronic survey to assess factors influencing the decision to decline assistance for identified Health-Related Social Needs (HRSNs). The survey includes questions related to transportation access, food insecurity, housing instability, and utility needs. Survey completion takes approximately 10 minutes.

Cancer Patients Screened for Health-Related Social Needs (HRSNs)

Interview OTHER

Interviews will be semi-structured and will be offered to 20 participants who have completed the survey and meet eligibility criteria. Interviews will be conducted via a Zoom. Zoom will create a transcription of the interview which will be saved in a secure encrypted space, no video will be saved.

Cancer Patients Screened for Health-Related Social Needs (HRSNs)

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

Adult cancer patients who received care at SKCCC who were engaged in HRSN screening

You may qualify if:

• Provide informed consent via check box for survey
• Provide verbal consent via Zoom for interview
• Must be able to read and understand English
• Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study
• Patients with existing HRSN data in their EHR that answere4d yes to risk in at least one domain and no to wanting help/follow up

You may not qualify if:

• An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study:
• If they do not consent
• Non-patients with existing HRSN data in their EHR
• Individuals unable to complete the survey due to language barriers or other cognitive limitations

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Thomas Jefferson University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, United States

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neoplasms

Interventions

Surveys and Questionnaires; Interviews as Topic

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Data Collection; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Public Health; Environment and Public Health

Study Officials

• Munjireen Sifat, PhD, MPH

  Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Munjireen Sifat, PhD, MPH

CONTACT

267-432-2641; Munjireen.Sifat@jefferson.edu

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: January 9, 2026
• First Posted: January 20, 2026
• Study Start: December 11, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): January 1, 2027
• Last Updated: February 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

US (1)