A Provider Intervention to Reduce Financial Toxicity in Patients With Cancer Through Improved Treatment Cost Discussions

Overview

The overall goal of this research program is to address financial toxicity through the development, testing, and implementation of a multi-level communication intervention. If successful, this intervention could be a companion intervention for Cancer providers in combination with the already in testing DISCO app (Discussions of Cost App) for patients. Participants will: * complete a baseline survey * attend two one on one meetings, one as part of the development and the second as part of the pilot testing of the intervention.

20 Wayne State University (WSU)/Karmanos Cancer Institute (KCI) oncology care providers (e.g., medical oncologists, nurses, social workers, APP) who treat patients at the KCI Detroit and Farmington Hills clinics where patients are treated for cancer will be recruited. At least two providers from each discipline who treat various cancer types will be included. The study will be discussed at clinic program meetings and then interested providers will be consented. Providers who consent will agree to 1) complete a baseline survey, and 2) attend two one-on-one meetings, one as a part of the DISCO (Discussion of Cost) Provider development (Aim 1) and the second as a part of the DISCO Provider pilot-testing (Aim 2). To achieve Aim 1, participants will be asked to complete a survey eliciting their demographic and professional characteristics prior to interviews. Then, during one-on-one interviews, which will be audio recorded and subsequently transcribed, the investigators will present the DISCO Provider wireframes and ask participants to provide feedback on the planned content, organization, and implementation. The Investigators will also present participants with strategies identified from research on how to initiate, respond to, and effectively discuss cost concerns. Investigators will ask participants about ideas for website design and training intervention implementation. Participants will be asked to complete a needs assessment interview about their use of digital support tools. To achieve Aim 2 and pilot test DISCO Provider, participants will again meet one-on-one with the Investigators. Investigators will ask participants to provide feedback on the acceptability and usability of the working version of DISCO Provider, whether participants think it is useful for training providers to discuss cost, if the strategies suggested will likely be effective, and suggestions for improvement. Meetings will be audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using similar methods as those in Aim 1