Development and Implementation of Pilot Postoperative Guidelines to Improve Functional Outcomes Following High-Risk Surgery for Cancer

NCT07720089 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: IRB-300016448UAB
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 66
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate the implementation of novel timeline-specific National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN)-style clinical guidelines designed to improve functional outcomes after high-risk abdominal surgery for cancer.

Conditions

Cancer; Abdominal Cancer Surgery; Surgery; Recovery Outcomes; Functional Outcomes

Keywords

cancer; abdominal cancer surgery; surgery; recovery outcomes; functional outcomes

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Algorithmic Guideline for Functional Recovery following Cancer Surgery

  The primary outcome is surgeon use of the novel guideline to guide the postoperative clinical care of patients recovering from GI cancer surgery. This will be measured by in-clinic fidelity monitoring, i.e. researcher monitoring of clinical use of the developed guideline.

  6 months

Study Arms (1)

Surgeons

EXPERIMENTAL

Surgeons will be given a postoperative decision support guideline for assessment of functional recovery

Behavioral: Algorithmic Guideline for Functional Recovery following Cancer Surgery

Interventions

Algorithmic Guideline for Functional Recovery following Cancer Surgery BEHAVIORAL

This is a pilot feasibility study to test the clinical use of a novel algorithmic guideline to support patient functional recovery following cancer surgery. To date, no algorithmic guideline exists to support functional recovery as a primary postoperative outcome.

Surgeons

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Surgeons who perform abdominal surgery for cancer at the study institution

You may not qualify if:

• Surgeons who do not perform abdominal surgery for cancer
• Surgeons who are external to the study institution

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Alabama at Birmingham: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama, 35233, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Neoplasms

Study Officials

• Kimberly E Kopecky, MD,MSCI

  University of Alabama at Birmingham

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Amber N Taylor (Clinical Research Regulatory Coordinator I), BS, MA

CONTACT

(205)996-4611; amberntaylor@uabmc.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Generate and Finalize the Postoperative Functional Recovery Algorithmic Guidelines (AGs). The development of the AGs will include a structured, evidence-informed, and patient-engaged process led by the PI. These guidelines will serve as a practical framework for supporting patients through recovery after high-risk abdominal surgery for cancer. Determination of Team Members: The PI will identify and recruit a multidisciplinary working group. The team will include six subspecialty surgical oncologists with experience in implementation science and supportive care, in addition to medical oncologists and nurse scientists (PhD-trained) with expertise in cancer survivorship and patient-centered care. Selection of team members will emphasize diversity of expertise, discipline, and clinical content.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 17, 2026
• First Posted: July 22, 2026
• Study Start: July 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2027
• Last Updated: July 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)