Legal Evaluation for Greater Access to Cancer Care (LEGAL-CARE): A Pilot Feasibility Trial of a Legal Navigation Program to Address Cancer-related Legal Barriers

Summary

This study aims to help patients with cancer facing legal issues. The investigators noticed that many patients struggle with laws and regulations related to disability benefits, employment rules, health insurance denials, and financial assistance barriers among many others. To understand this better, the investigators conducted the first nationwide study on how legal problems affect patients with cancer. Investigators noted a striking prevalence of legal issues in patients with cancer - most struggled with 2 or more legal issues that impacted their care. These legal issues looked different for those with different socioeconomic backgrounds. In a second study, the investigators also found healthcare workers (HCWs) including social workers and navigators feel underprepared to counsel patients on legal topics. Now, the investigators launching a pilot program called LEGAL-CARE at the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) to help patients navigate these legal hurdles. Patients in the study will receive legal navigation, where they will get help with legal issues related to their cancer treatment. The investigators will look at how practical or feasible such a program is, and how it affects patients' lives over time. The investigators will check in with the participants at regular time intervals to see if they feel less stressed about money, have a better quality of life, and use healthcare services differently. The investigators will also see if the program helps reduce the number of legal problems they face. Finally, the investigators will discuss with the participants about how this legal intervention could be made better. This study is important because it's the first of its kind. It will give insights into how legal problems impact patients with cancer and how addressing these issues can improve their lives. Plus, it'll help the investigators better understand implementing similar programs in other places. Overall, it's a partnership between O'Neal, national legal assistance organizations, and the Birmingham community to make life easier for people dealing with cancer and legal challenges. Ultimately, the goal will be to take what the investigators learn here to run a larger multi-site trial.

Description

Eligibility

Age range

18+ years

Sex

All

Healthy volunteers

No

Interventions

• Behavioral
  Legal Navigation

  • Participants will receive monthly outreach from a trained legal navigator over a 6-month period. The legal navigator is a lawyer (Juris Doctor, or JD) who will proactively address specific legal barriers the patient may encounter during treatment. Communication will include phone calls (and if requested, virtual consultations) tailored to patient needs. In between legal outreach periods, patients may call the legal navigator team themselves for legal needs that may arise.

Location