Pharmacist-Led Education to Improve Neutropenic Precautions in Cancer Patients

NCT07690956 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Mar2025/180-04
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 300
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether pharmacist-led education can improve knowledge and adherence to neutropenic precautions and reduce infection rates in adult cancer patients receiving high-risk chemotherapy. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does pharmacist-led education improve patient knowledge of neutropenic fever prevention?
• Does it increase adherence to precautionary behaviors?
• Does it reduce the incidence of febrile neutropenia? Researchers will compare two groups: one receiving standard care and the other receiving additional education by a clinical pharmacist, to assess the impact on patient behavior and infection outcomes. Participants will:
• Receive either standard care or a structured educational intervention that includes written materials, a counseling session, and an instructional video on neutropenic precautions.
• Complete knowledge and adherence surveys before and after the intervention.
• Be followed for 2-6 months to monitor adherence, infection rates, and treatment outcomes.

Conditions

Febrile Neutropenia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Patients' Knowledge of Neutropenic Precautions

  Assesses the improvement in knowledge of neutropenia, infection signs, hygiene practices, dietary precautions, and when to seek medical help. The survey contains 14 multiple choice knowledge questions. Measured using a validated knowledge and practice questionnaire constructed by the research team. It was drafted using Mak et al's "Effect of an education program on knowledge, self-care behavior and handwashing competence on prevention of febrile neutropenia among breast cancer patients receiving Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide in Chemotherapy Day Centre" with major changes. Then a content validity test was done by 8 PhD holders who are experts in KAP studies and the content validity index relevance was 0.944 and clarity was 0.93. After that an expert panel of 6 oncology clinicians from KAUH assessed the form, and a pilot group of 28 patients all led to form changes. Knowledge part of questionnaire score: 0-14 (the higher, the better is the score)

  Day 1: Baseline knowledge survey for control and intervention groups, then education session after baseline surveys for intervention group, then knowledge survey redone for intervention group. Day 60: knowledge survey redone for both groups.

Secondary Outcomes (6)

• Change in Adherence to Neutropenic Precautionary Measures

  Day 1: Baseline practice survey for control and intervention groups. Day 60: Practice survey redone for both groups.

• Number of patients who develop Febrile Neutropenia (FN)

  Up to 6 months after baseline questionnaire

• Febrile Neutropenia Curer rates

  Up to 6 months after baseline questionnaire.

• Physician Adherence to Antibiotic Management Guidelines

  Up to 6 months after baseline questionnaire.

• Number of patients with positive bacterial cultures for FN

  Up to 6 months after baseline questionnaire.

Study Arms (2)

Intervention Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants randomized to this arm will receive a structured pharmacist-led educational intervention aimed at improving their knowledge and adherence to neutropenic precautions. The intervention includes: * Printed Arabic-translated educational materials based on CDC guidance regarding neutropenic fever precautions. * A one-on-one counseling session delivered by a clinical pharmacist, covering topics such as neutropenia definition, risk factors, hygiene and dietary precautions, early signs of infection, and the importance of prompt medical attention. * A URL to access an educational video that reinforces the same information. * Contact information for support and follow-up. This intervention is delivered before the next chemotherapy session and is reinforced with follow-up at 2 months. Participants' knowledge and adherence will be measured pre-intervention, post-intervention (same session), and at 2 months. They will be followed for 6 months for infection incidence and outcomes.

Other: Pharmacist-Led Neutropenic Education Package

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm will receive the routine standard care provided in the oncology clinic without the additional structured pharmacist led education. This typically includes general verbal instructions about chemotherapy but no dedicated educational session or materials specific to neutropenic precautions. Knowledge and adherence assessments will be conducted at the same time points as the intervention group to compare outcomes. FN incidence and clinical outcomes will be followed over 6 months.

Interventions

Pharmacist-Led Neutropenic Education Package OTHER

The Pharmacist-Led Neutropenic Education Package (P-NEP) is a structured educational intervention designed to improve cancer patients' knowledge and adherence to neutropenic fever prevention measures during chemotherapy. It is delivered by a clinical pharmacist and consists of: Written educational materials in Arabic, adapted from the CDC's neutropenia infection prevention guidelines. A face-to-face counseling session that explains neutropenia, signs of infection, hygiene and dietary precautions, and appropriate actions in case of fever. An educational video (shared via URL) reinforcing key messages from the session. Patient support resources, including pharmacist contact information and summary instructions for reference. The intervention is administered prior to chemotherapy and reinforced with a follow-up assessment at 2 months. It is intended to empower patients to implement protective behaviors and report early signs of infection, ultimately aiming to reduce the incidence of FN.

Intervention Group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• You may be able to join this study if all of the following apply to you:
• You are 18 years or older.
• You have been diagnosed with any type of cancer (such as breast, colon, lymphoma, etc.).
• You are currently receiving chemotherapy that has a high risk of lowering your white blood cell count.
• You are receiving treatment in outpatient (infusion centers) or inpatient settings (oncology wards).

You may not qualify if:

• You cannot join this study if any of the following apply to you:
• You currently have an active infection (such as fever or diagnosed illness).
• You are unable to speak Arabic or English, and do not have a caregiver who can help with the study.
• You have a major psychiatric condition that makes it difficult to understand or participate in the educational activities.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Jordan University of Science and Technology: lead

Study Sites (2)

AlBashir Hospital

Amman, 11151, Jordan

Location

King Abdullah University Hospital (KAUH)

Irbid, 22110, Jordan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Febrile Neutropenia

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Neutropenia; Agranulocytosis; Leukopenia; Cytopenia; Hematologic Diseases; Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases; Leukocyte Disorders

Study Officials

• Abd Al-Rahman AR Awad, PharmD

  Jordan University of Science and Technology

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

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

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 6, 2026
• First Posted: July 8, 2026
• Study Start: July 13, 2025
• Primary Completion: July 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2026
• Last Updated: July 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

JO (2)