BOLSTER: Strengthening Patient and Caregiver Supports in Advanced Gynecologic and Gastrointestinal Cancers
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Summary
This research study is evaluating a new program called Building Out Lifelines for Safety, Trust, Empowerment, and Renewal or (BOLSTER), which was designed to support participants with a gynecological or gastrointestinal cancer and new and complex care needs.
Description
This multi-center, randomized trial is to test the efficacy of the BOLSTER Program and to improve participant quality of life (QOL), alleviate symptoms, reduce burden, and decrease the need for hospital care in participants with complex care needs from advanced gastrointestinal and gynecologic (GI/GYN) cancers. The research study procedures include screening for eligibility, questionnaires, and telehealth visits. Participation in this research study is expected to last about 12 weeks. About 300 dyads (patients with family caregivers) are expected to participate in this research study. The…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Participant Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 years * Currently hospitalized with skilled care need or have acquired a new skilled care need as an outpatient * Diagnosed with advanced gastrointestinal cancer (esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, hepatobiliary, colorectal, unknown GI primary, anal) or advanced gynecologic cancer (ovarian, endometrial, cervical, vaginal, vulvar) * Has a complex care need (e.g., ostomy, ileostomy, urostomy, nephrostomy, biliary drain, venting gastric tube, feeding tube, intraabdominal or pleural catheter, wound VAC) * Plans to receive ongoing cancer treatment * Has a fa…
Interventions
- BehavioralBOLSTER Program
This supportive care program includes six telehealth sessions led by a trained nurse to help patients with advanced gynecological or gastrointestinal cancers and their care partners build skills, manage symptoms, and cope with challenges. Two additional sessions will be help support care partners. Participants will also get access to the BOLSTER website, which offers personalized educational materials to support their well-being
Locations (2)
- Dana-Farber Cancer InstituteBoston, Massachusetts
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas