Polaris Oncology Survivor Transition (POST) System
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Cancer, Cancer |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Oncology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 18 - Any |
| Updated: | 12/21/2017 |
| Start Date: | November 30, 2016 |
| End Date: | August 2018 |
| Contact: | Erin O'Hea, PhD |
| Email: | erin.ohea@umassmed.edu |
| Phone: | 856-669-9954 |
The POST's public health impact is likely to be substantial because it will improve cancer
survivorship planning, which is currently an important deficiency in cancer care recognized
by the Institute of Medicine and the American College of Surgeons.
The POST may have many potential benefits for patients such as:
1. improved long-term health outcomes;
2. improved psychosocial outcomes and quality of life;
3. smoother transitions back into old and new life roles; and
4. improved continuity and coordination of care between providers.
Most importantly, the POST's influence may reach beyond the patients it directly serves as it
could help scientists and health care providers understand the potential benefits of cancer
survivorship planning and how to best design and implement survivorship planning when
patients are ending treatment for cancer.
survivorship planning, which is currently an important deficiency in cancer care recognized
by the Institute of Medicine and the American College of Surgeons.
The POST may have many potential benefits for patients such as:
1. improved long-term health outcomes;
2. improved psychosocial outcomes and quality of life;
3. smoother transitions back into old and new life roles; and
4. improved continuity and coordination of care between providers.
Most importantly, the POST's influence may reach beyond the patients it directly serves as it
could help scientists and health care providers understand the potential benefits of cancer
survivorship planning and how to best design and implement survivorship planning when
patients are ending treatment for cancer.
By January 2015, oncology care providers will be expected to craft Survivorship Care Plans
(SCPs) for all individuals ending active treatment for cancer; however, there is a lack of
systematic study of the impact survivorship planning has on patients, providers, or
healthcare systems. The Polaris Oncology Survivorship Transition (POST) program is a
web-based system that incorporates recommendations from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and
American College of Surgeons (ACS) to assist with cancer survivorship planning. It is a
patient-centered approach that integrates input from both the treating oncology team and the
patient. Phase 1 built and iteratively modified (N=25) the POST system and Phase 2 will test
whether the SCPs impact patient and provider outcomes using a single blind, randomized
controlled trial (RCT). Breast cancer patients (n=230) transitioning out of active treatment
will be recruited and randomly assigned to receive Treatment as Usual (n=115) or the POST
(n=115). All participants will be assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months by a research assistant
blind to baseline status and group assignment. Primary outcomes will include quality of life,
mechanisms of action such as confidence in entering survivorship, and other outcomes such as
(1) depression and anxiety, (2) adherence to medical and behavioral health recommendations,
(3) health care utilization, and (4) patient and provider satisfaction with the POST
system.The POST will innovate the clinical setting through being the first system to produce
computer generated tailored survivorship plans fully reflecting IOM recommendations and the
new ACS 2015 requirements; incorporating information from both the oncology provider and the
patient; featuring readily available "plug in" for two-way electronic health record
integration; providing dynamic, electronic referrals for specialized support services; and
facilitating care coordination between the oncologist and PCP. This study's impact will be
significant. If hypotheses are confirmed, clear scientific evidence will exist for supporting
survivorship care planning into oncology clinical practice. If hypotheses are disconfirmed,
important lessons will guide future directions for care planning, including whether failure
to affect outcomes was due to failure to impact several hypothesized mechanisms of action.
(SCPs) for all individuals ending active treatment for cancer; however, there is a lack of
systematic study of the impact survivorship planning has on patients, providers, or
healthcare systems. The Polaris Oncology Survivorship Transition (POST) program is a
web-based system that incorporates recommendations from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) and
American College of Surgeons (ACS) to assist with cancer survivorship planning. It is a
patient-centered approach that integrates input from both the treating oncology team and the
patient. Phase 1 built and iteratively modified (N=25) the POST system and Phase 2 will test
whether the SCPs impact patient and provider outcomes using a single blind, randomized
controlled trial (RCT). Breast cancer patients (n=230) transitioning out of active treatment
will be recruited and randomly assigned to receive Treatment as Usual (n=115) or the POST
(n=115). All participants will be assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months by a research assistant
blind to baseline status and group assignment. Primary outcomes will include quality of life,
mechanisms of action such as confidence in entering survivorship, and other outcomes such as
(1) depression and anxiety, (2) adherence to medical and behavioral health recommendations,
(3) health care utilization, and (4) patient and provider satisfaction with the POST
system.The POST will innovate the clinical setting through being the first system to produce
computer generated tailored survivorship plans fully reflecting IOM recommendations and the
new ACS 2015 requirements; incorporating information from both the oncology provider and the
patient; featuring readily available "plug in" for two-way electronic health record
integration; providing dynamic, electronic referrals for specialized support services; and
facilitating care coordination between the oncologist and PCP. This study's impact will be
significant. If hypotheses are confirmed, clear scientific evidence will exist for supporting
survivorship care planning into oncology clinical practice. If hypotheses are disconfirmed,
important lessons will guide future directions for care planning, including whether failure
to affect outcomes was due to failure to impact several hypothesized mechanisms of action.
Inclusion Criteria:
- 18 years or older
- Confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer (not metastatic)
- A final active treatment appointment scheduled with oncology team
- Able to read or understand English at a 6th grade level
Exclusion Criteria:
- Altered mental status (e.g., psychosis, delirium, disorientation)
- Visual problems preventing them from reading the assessment and reports
- Severe illness that would preclude conversation or interface with a computer
(e.g.,persistent nausea/vomiting, severe pain)
- Unable to read or understand English at a 6th grade level
- Characteristics that would prevent adequate follow-up (e.g., lack of a telephone)
We found this trial at
1
site
Worcester, Massachusetts 01655
Phone: 856-669-9954
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