Acceptability and Feasibility of PSC Model of Serious Illness Communication

Overview

This prospective, single-arm pilot study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of a novel Patient Support Coordinator (PSC) model for women with advanced or high-risk breast cancer in an outpatient oncology setting. The PSC model is designed to address gaps in serious illness communication by embedding a trained, non-clinical coordinator into routine care pathways to provide longitudinal psychosocial support and facilitate values-based discussions. The primary hypothesis posits that the PSC intervention will be perceived as acceptable by participants, defined by a population median score of ≥12 out of 16 on both the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-4) and the Feeling Heard and Understood (FHU) scale. Additionally, the study assesses feasibility through metrics such as enrollment and retention rates, as well as the successful integration of PSC-documented patient priorities into clinical workflows. By using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the study aims to generate a complete view of how this lay-led model complements existing supportive care infrastructure at the National Cancer Centre Singapore.

The study employs a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to evaluate the implementation of the Patient Support Coordinator (PSC) model over a three-month intervention period. Eligible participants are women aged 21 and above with Stage III or IV breast cancer, or those at high risk of recurrence, who are proficient in English or Mandarin. Following recruitment and informed consent, participants undergo a three-month intervention consisting of up to eight flexible sessions conducted in-person or via telephone. The intervention structure includes systematic distress screening using the Distress Thermometer and Problem List (DTPL) to identify immediate concerns, followed by facilitated self-expression and collaborative goal-setting. As rapport develops, the PSC progressively introduces values-based questions based on a locally adapted Serious Illness Conversation Guide (SICG). A critical component of the model involves the PSC documenting participant goals and priorities for communication to the treating oncologist, thereby fostering goal-concordant care. Quantitative outcome measures, including the CSQ and FHU, are collected post-intervention to assess global satisfaction and the quality of the therapeutic alliance. Descriptive statistics are utilized for analysis, with the median score serving as the primary benchmark for acceptability. Simultaneously, qualitative data are gathered through semi-structured interviews with patients and clinicians to explore experiences of utility and barriers to engagement. These qualitative data are analysed using the framework method, involving systematic indexing and the construction of a coding matrix to facilitate cross-case comparison. During the final interpretation phase, quantitative descriptive results and qualitative themes are merged to identify areas of convergence and divergence, providing a robust basis for refining the PSC model for future large-scale trials.