Improving Communication in Older Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers

Summary

Over 60% of cancers occur in older persons, and the number of older persons with cancer is expected to grow as the population ages. Oncology clinical trials have traditionally excluded older patients with advanced cancer and chronic health conditions. In this context, where data is limited and risk from treatment is high, older patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers must understand how cancer treatment can affect quality of life in light of underlying health status. Better communication about age-related health conditions between oncologists, older patients with advanced cancer, and their caregivers may improve decision-making for cancer treatment and quality of life. A geriatric assessment (GA), a validated set of patient-centered outcomes, has been shown to identify concerns (e.g., function, cognition) important to older persons with cancer and their caregivers. In this cluster randomized clinical trial we examined whether providing a web-generated GA summary with targeted recommendations to older patients with advanced cancer, their caregivers, and their oncologists can improve communication about age-related concerns that could affect efficacy and tolerance of cancer treatment. We also determined whether the intervention improves patient-reported quality of life and patient and caregiver satisfaction.

Conditions

• Adult Solid Neoplasm
• Lymphoma

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Geriatric Assessment Summary

Complete summary of results from the Geriatric Assessment

BEHAVIORAL

Geriatric Assessment Targeted Recommendations

Recommendations are made based on areas patients were impaired in on the Geriatric Assessment. They include referrals, tests, medication review, instructions, and support services. The choice of which recommendation to implement is left to the discretion of the physician. Treatment modifications

BEHAVIORAL

Geriatric Assessment (GA)

A GA measures the issues important to older patients, including function, psychological status, cognitive abilities, social support, and the impact of medical problems on quality of life.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Cancer Institute (NCI)

  collaborator NIH

• Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

  collaborator OTHER

• Supriya Mohile

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Supriya Mohile · University of Rochester NCORP Research Base

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

70 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2014-10-27

Primary Completion

2017-05-12

Completion

2020-09-01

Countries

• United States

Study Locations