NCT07278739 · SWOG Cancer Research Network
Testing an Educational Program to Improve Goals of Care Conversations Between Patients and Their Care Teams
What this study is about
This clinical trial evaluates an educational program called Algorithm-Enabled Patients Activated in Cancer Care Through Teams (A-PACT) for reducing unplanned hospital visits and improving goals of care conversations with providers among patients with solid cancers.
View original scientific description
This clinical trial evaluates an educational program called Algorithm-Enabled Patients Activated in Cancer Care Through Teams (A-PACT) for reducing unplanned hospital visits and improving goals of care conversations with providers among patients with solid cancers. A-PACT is an educational program where lay health workers (educators) help patients talk with their health care team about issues that matter most to them (goals of care). During A-PACT sessions, patients receive assistance in formulating health care and end of life care preferences, assistance in completing advance directives, guidance on how to engage in these conversations with family members, friends, and clinical teams, and encouragement to discuss these topics with their clinical team. A-PACT may reduce unplanned hospital visits and improve goals of care communication with providers among patients with solid cancers.
Interventions
OTHER
Best Practice
Receive usual care
OTHER
Educational Intervention
Receive A-PACT education
OTHER
Electronic Health Record Review
Ancillary studies
OTHER
Interview
Ancillary studies
OTHER
Questionnaire Administration
Ancillary studies
BEHAVIORAL
Telephone-Based Intervention
Receive A-PACT phone calls
Primary outcome measures
Proportion of patients with any hospitalization
Time frame: Within 12 months of enrollment
The primary analysis will be conducted using multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for stratification factors as covariates.
Who can participate
This study lists these criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov. A study coordinator reviews eligibility during screening — this page does not determine whether you qualify.
Inclusion criteria
- Participants must have a diagnosis of a solid tumor malignancy of any stage
- Participants must be identified as high risk, defined as having 6 month mortality estimate from machine learning (ML) algorithm \>= 20%
- Participants must not be receiving or have pre-existing plans to enter hospice care at the time of study registration
- Participant must be actively receiving or planning to receive systemic anti-cancer therapy (defined as any oral, injection, or intravenous therapy against cancer) within 3 months after registration
- NOTE: This includes chemotherapy (conventional or cytotoxic chemotherapy), hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy
- NOTE: Participants are allowed to be co-enrolled on other clinical trials including trials using investigational agents
- Participants must be \>= 18 years of age at the time of study enrollment
- Participants who can complete Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) questionnaires in English or Spanish must be willing to 1) complete PROs at all scheduled assessments; and 2) complete the pre-registration (baseline) PRO forms within 14 days prior to registration
- Participants must be able to provide a valid telephone number for the purpose of being contacted by the lay health worker
- NOTE: As a part of the Oncology Patient Enrollment Network (OPEN) registration process the treating institution's identity is provided in order to ensure that the current (within 365 days) date of institutional review board approval for this study has been entered in the system
- Patient and clinician participants must be informed of the investigational nature of this study and must sign and give informed consent in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines. This protocol does not permit use of Legally Authorized Representative NOTE: For this study, in the OPEN registration, clinician participants will be listed as their own treating investigator. However, clinician participants must not consent themselves or sign their own eligibility criteria forms
Where
- Little Rock, Arkansas
Collaborators
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Related conditions & keywords
Frequently asked questions
What is a clinical trial?
A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.
Is it safe to participate?
Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.
Will I be compensated?
Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.
Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?
When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.
Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?
Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.
How long does a clinical trial last?
Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.
Data: ClinicalTrials.gov · synced Aug 5, 2026 · Source of record for eligibility and locations