Integrated Telehealth or In-Person Palliative Care in Improving Quality of Life in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
Lung Cancer
Unknown Primary
18 Years and older, Male and Female
17-484 (primary)
NCI-2018-00225
Summary
This randomized clinical trial studies how well integrated telehealth or in-person palliative care works in improving quality of life in patients with non-small lung cancer that has spread to other places in the body (advanced). Early involvement in palliative care may lesson many of the distressing physical and emotional symptoms and help patients and their families cope with serious illness as well as improve patients’ and their loved ones’ experience with cancer. Integrated telehealth palliative care involves patients meeting with palliative care clinicians using secure video-conferencing technology. It is not yet known whether giving integrated telehealth or in-person palliative care works better for patients and their families in improving quality of life.
Objectives
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
I. To determine whether telehealth palliative care (PC) is equivalent to in-person PC for improving patients’ quality of life (QOL).
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To determine whether telehealth PC is equivalent to in-person PC with respect to patient-clinician communication about end of life (EOL) care preferences and length of stay in hospice.
II. To compare the effect of telehealth versus in-person PC on caregiver participation in PC visits.
III. To compare patient and caregiver satisfaction with telehealth versus in-person PC.
EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:
I. To compare coping strategies in patients assigned to telehealth versus in- person PC.
II. To compare prognostic understanding in patients and caregivers assigned to telehealth.
III. To compare the effect of telehealth versus in person PC on caregivers’ outcomes, including QOL and mood.
IV. To compare the effect of telehealth versus in-person PC on patients’ mood.
OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 groups.
GROUP I: Patients receive video-conference palliative care every 4 weeks over 30 minutes.
GROUP II: Patients receive in-person palliative care every 4 weeks over 30 minutes.
After completion of study, patients are followed periodically.
Eligibility
- PATIENT: Diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) being treated with non-curative intent, and informed of advanced disease within the prior twelve weeks
- PATIENT: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status from 0 (asymptomatic) to 3 (symptomatic and in bed > 50% of the day)
- PATIENT: The ability to read and respond to questions in English or Spanish
- PATIENT: Receiving primary cancer care at one of the participating sites
- PATIENT: Age >= 18 years
- CAREGIVER: Relative or friend who is identified by the patient participant and lives with the patient or has contact with them at least twice per week
- CAREGIVER: The ability to read and respond to questions in English or Spanish
- CAREGIVER: Age >= 18 years
Treatment Sites in Georgia
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