Understanding Needs of Older Patients Prior to Starting Cancer Treatment

Conditions

• Hematopoietic and Lymphatic System Neoplasm
• Malignant Solid Neoplasm

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

ALL

Age

18 Years - N/A

Healthy Volunteers

Accepted

Interventions

• Survey Administration — OTHER
  Complete interest survey
• Interview — OTHER
  Complete stakeholder interview
• Educational Intervention — OTHER
  Receive provider education
• Educational Intervention — OTHER
  Receive written and/or electronic materials on PGA delivery
• Assessment — OTHER
  Start or increase PGA and GA management
• Internet-Based Intervention — OTHER
  Attend virtual meetings
• Electronic Health Record Review — OTHER
  Complete EHR reviews
• Survey Administration — OTHER
  Ancillary Studies (Patient Survey)
• Interview — OTHER
  Ancillary studies (Patient Interview)

Study Details

A geriatric assessment (GA) is a structured approach to identifying and addressing the strengths and vulnerabilities of older adults with cancer. They can improve the quality of cancer care for older adults and lower side effects. It is recommended a GA be administered prior to the start of non-hormonal systemic therapy for all older adults. Despite these guidelines, only a small percentage of practices report administering them. The practical geriatric assessment (PGA) was developed to help oncology practices perform GAs. It aims to provide a brief way to evaluate older patients' physical health along with other important things like support network and impact to the patient's daily life. Typically, clinics do not receive extra training on delivering the PGA. Providing training and support for staff at cancer clinics may help deliver the enhanced PGA to older adult cancer patients who are starting a new-hormonal systemic therapy. This clinical trial looks at whether providing training and support for staff at cancer clinics can help them deliver patient check-ups (e.g., PGA) specifically designed for adults \>= 65 years old (older adults) starting a new non-hormonal systemic cancer therapy. The usual approach clinics use when starting these cancer therapy courses with an older adult may vary considerably.

Key Dates

Start date

Jan 14, 2026

Status verified

Apr 2026

Primary completion

Mar 1, 2027

Completion

Dec 31, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment

216 participants (estimated)

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

SEQUENTIAL

Primary purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Arms

• Experimental: Part 1 (stakeholder interview)
  Participants from practices selected for participation in Part 1 complete a stakeholder interview (approximately 60 minutes) to gather information on current PGA relevant processes within the practice, including any anticipated barriers or facilitators to delivery, and provide feedback on proposed implementation strategies.
• Experimental: Part 2 (PGA education, management, and support EHR review)
  See Detailed Description

Primary Outcome Measure

Qualitative feedback on the practical geriatric assessment (PGA) implementation strategies within the context of the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (Part 1) [ Time Frame: Up to 6 months after the start of Part 1 ]

Locations (24)

Find similar trials in Tuscaloosa, AL

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