Randomized Trial of a Targeted Palliative Care Intervention for Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer
Massachusetts General Hospital
Summary
Many people living with metastatic breast cancer face challenging symptoms and frequent medical visits. At the same time, conversations about personal goals, values, and preferences for care may not always happen as early or as often as patients and families would like. This multi-site study will test the effectiveness of a five-session palliative care program, designed specifically for people with metastatic breast cancer and their caregivers, to strengthen communication with clinicians about what matters most in their care. The study aims to inform how palliative care services can be delivered in a more timely, personalized, and scalable way for people living with advanced cancers who have long disease trajectories, such as metastatic breast cancer.
Description
The diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer can bring many challenges including physical symptoms, treatment side effects, and emotional stress for patients and their families. Palliative care specialists work alongside the oncology team to help patients and families manage symptoms, communicate effectively with their clinicians, and cope with the impact of living with cancer. Research has shown that when palliative care and oncology teams collaborate closely, patients often experience better symptom relief, clearer communication about their goals and preferences, improved quality of life and m…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Patient Inclusion Criteria: * age ≥18 years * diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer * within 8 weeks of the oncology visit at which they were identified as having an eligible Epic EOL Care Index (≥ 15) * functioning independently per an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤2 * receiving their cancer care at one of the participating institutions * able to complete questionnaires in English or Spanish Patient Exclusion Criteria: * received outpatient palliative care visit within the last six months * enrolled in hospice services * diagnosed with a comorbid condition that i…
Interventions
- OtherPalliative Care Intervention, "TARGET-PC"
Palliative care intervention focused on eliciting patients' goals and values to facilitate discussion and documentation of health care preferences.
- OtherEnhanced Usual Care
Oncology clinicians will receive an electronic message to encourage them to discuss and document their patients' health care preferences.
Locations (3)
- Massachusetts General HospitalBoston, Massachusetts
- Duke UniversityDurham, North Carolina
- University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania