Acceptability and Feasibility of PSC Model of Serious Illness Communication

NCT07428655 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025-1184
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 28
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This prospective, single-arm pilot study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of a novel Patient Support Coordinator (PSC) model for women with advanced or high-risk breast cancer in an outpatient oncology setting. The PSC model is designed to address gaps in serious illness communication by embedding a trained, non-clinical coordinator into routine care pathways to provide longitudinal psychosocial support and facilitate values-based discussions. The primary hypothesis posits that the PSC intervention will be perceived as acceptable by participants, defined by a population median score of ≥12 out of 16 on both the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-4) and the Feeling Heard and Understood (FHU) scale. Additionally, the study assesses feasibility through metrics such as enrollment and retention rates, as well as the successful integration of PSC-documented patient priorities into clinical workflows. By using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the study aims to generate a complete view of how this lay-led model complements existing supportive care infrastructure at the National Cancer Centre Singapore.

Conditions

Advanced Breast Cancer

Keywords

Palliative care; Serious illness communication; Supportive listening; Patient support; Mixed methods; Psychosocial support

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Intervention acceptability: Feeling Heard and Understood (FHU) Scale

  Measurement: Total score on the four-item Feeling Heard and Understood (FHU) survey. Specific definition: A patient-reported outcome measure assessing the perceived quality of the therapeutic alliance. Scores range from 4 to 16, with a total score of ≥12 (equivalent to a mean of 3 out of 4 per item) defined as the threshold for intervention acceptability.

  Administered post-intervention, within two weeks following the completion of the three-month intervention phase.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Participant enrolment rate (feasibility)

  From initiation of recruitment through to conclusion of enrolment phase (approximately 3 months).

Study Arms (1)

PSC-facilitated supportive listening

EXPERIMENTAL

This is a single-arm study where all participants are assigned to the Patient Support Coordinator (PSC) intervention. Enrolled participants engage in a longitudinal supportive care pathway ("PSC model"/ "PSC intervention") consisting of up to eight one-on-one sessions of supportive listening with the PSC delivered over a three-month period.

Other: PSC-facilitated supportive listening

Interventions

PSC-facilitated supportive listening OTHER

The intervention is a longitudinal, non-clinical supportive care model delivered over a three-month period. The intervention is designed to provide a dedicated space for supportive listening and biographical reflection that complements routine medical consultations. Each session begins with a standardised distress screening using the Distress Thermometer and Problem List (DTPL) to systematically identify participant concerns and provide basic symptom management or lifestyle improvement advice. This is followed by facilitated self-expression sessions focused on emotional grounding and/or collaborative goal-setting, allowing participants to explore and articulate their values at their own pace. Questions relating to goals of care may be explored opportunistically and spontaneously during these sessions, with key insights documented and communicated to the treating oncologist to ensure care alignment and strengthen patient-clinician communication.

PSC-facilitated supportive listening

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21 Years+
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Diagnosis of advanced cancer (Stage III or IV) or assessed to be at risk of recurrence by treating oncologist
• Aware of cancer diagnosis
• Proficiency in English or Mandarin

You may not qualify if:

• Cognitive impairment preventing provision of informed consent
• Poorly controlled mental health conditions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Cancer Centre, Singapore: lead

Study Sites (1)

National Cancer Centre Singapore

Singapore, 168583, Singapore

Location

Study Officials

• Dr Colin Phipps Diong, MB BCh BAO, MRCP, FRCPath

  SingHealth Centralised Institutional Review Board F (Chairperson)

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This is a single-arm, prospective, non-randomized pilot study designed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a novel Patient Support Coordinator (PSC) model embedded within outpatient oncology. All enrolled participants are assigned to a single intervention group and receive a longitudinal series of supportive listening and values-based conversation sessions over a three-month period.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 19, 2026
• First Posted: February 24, 2026
• Study Start: August 25, 2025
• Primary Completion: January 12, 2026
• Study Completion: March 30, 2026
• Last Updated: February 24, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

SG (1)