A Pilot Study of Genetic Testing Uptake Through Enhanced Oncology Nurse-Led Intervention

Summary

Genetic factors are a significant determinant of the likelihood of developing various types of cancers. Identification of germline risk can have important implications for both patients and their families. Although estimates vary, pathogenic germline variants can be seen in \~3-17.5% of unselected patients with cancer with important clinical significance. Unfortunately, despite progress in multigene testing and the identification of heritable conditions, genetic counseling and testing (GCT) remains underutilized among cancer patients. Although there are multiple barriers to low testing, initial referral to GCT from the treating oncologist has been noted to be the most significant barrier.

Nurse navigation has been shown to improve the timeliness of cancer care and patient outcomes across various cancer types and improve the uptake of genomic testing in cancer patients. Despite proven benefits, community cancer centers often face resource limitations that prevent them from consistently assigning a dedicated nurse navigator to cancer patients. However, community centers universally have oncology nurses who routinely educate patients about their systemic therapies. By enhancing the "therapy education" sessions, the investigators hypothesize that oncology nurses can bridge this gap and potentially identify eligible patients, provide essential education on the importance of genetic testing, and facilitate the referral process. The investigators propose a pilot randomized study to evaluate the potential effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of a novel, nurse-led "enhanced education" intervention specifically designed to increase the uptake of GCT in adult cancer patients.

Conditions

• Solid Tumor, Adult

Interventions

OTHER

Enhanced education

In addition to the education conducted as part of usual care, the nurse will: 1) provide basic education on GCT; and 2) if the patient is eligible and agreeable to GCT, place a referral to GCT (if not already ordered). Patients will also be provided with written materials reinforcing the key messages of GCT education, designed to be understandable to individuals without a medical background. Nurses will also conduct a follow-up "nudge" by sending an in basket message via electronic medical record to ensure that the referrals are processed by the referral coordinators.

OTHER

Usual care education

A brief introduction to GCT will be provided in accordance with the information covered in the "chemo education binder," which is the current standard of care at Enloe Regional Cancer Center. As per the usual care, referrals for genetic testing will be clinician-initiated without the proactive involvement of the RN.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Enloe Regional Cancer Center

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University of California, Davis

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Ranjan Pathak, MD MHS · Enloe Health

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-12-26

Primary Completion

2025-03-26

Completion

2025-09-26

Countries

• United States

Study Locations