The purpose of the study is to determine whether standardized implementation of a scripted template for discussing important issues that arise near the end of life improves the care of those who have advanced cancer.
Primary Objective: To determine whether the Serious Illness Conversation Guide will improve the consistency with which providers have and document conversations regarding patients' goals and priorities as they near the end of life. Secondary Objectives: 1. To assess whether having conversations as per this model will improve the quality of care near the end of life as determined by appropriate care in concordance with their goals of care. 2\. To assess whether having conversations as per this model will improve patient Quality of Life (QOL) as per a validated scale. 3\. To assess in patients with concordant care whether this model will improve patient QOL as per a validated scale 4. To assess provider opinions about end-of-life conversations.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
12
The Serious Illness Conversation Guide (SICG) is a structured communication template designed to provide effective tool in initiating advanced care planning discussion with patients.
Quality of life survey by questionnaire (FACT-G) given every three months
Stanford Cancer Center
Stanford, California, United States
Difference in proportions of patients with documented goals of care
Difference in proportions of patients who have documented goals of care in medical records, assessed after death, for both arms
Time frame: 1 year
Difference in proportions of patients with appropriate care toward end of life
Proportion of patients receiving appropriate care in line with their goals of care toward the end of life, by arm will be assessed.
Time frame: 1 year
Comparison of QOL survey measures by section
Comparison of survey QOL measures by section for control and intervention arms will be done by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-G) , version 4 scale. It is a 28-item validated QoL questionnaire in patients receiving cancer treatment. All subscales are summed together to arrive at a total score. A higher point value is considered a better quality of life score
Time frame: 1 year
Overall comparison of QOL survey
Comparison of survey QOL measures overall for control and intervention arms will be done by Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-G) , version 4 scale. It is a 28-item validated QoL questionnaire in patients receiving cancer treatment. All subscales are summed together to arrive at a total score. A higher point value is considered a better quality of life score
Time frame: 1 year
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.