Telehealth Hospice Visits for Breast Cancer

Overseen By Claire Smith, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Disqualifiers: Under 18, Non-home hospice, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

200 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how telehealth (remote communication via video or phone) can enhance the hospice experience for people with advanced breast cancer. It compares regular hospice care with an approach that includes weekly telehealth check-ins with the care team. The study seeks patients in Massachusetts who have advanced breast cancer, are starting in-home hospice, and can participate in phone or video calls. As an unphased trial, this study offers patients the opportunity to contribute to innovative care approaches that could improve hospice experiences.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on telehealth visits for hospice care, so it's best to discuss your medications with your healthcare provider.

What prior data suggests that telehealth hospice visits are safe for breast cancer patients?

Research has shown that telehealth provides a safe and effective way to assist patients with breast cancer. Studies have found that patients often prefer telehealth visits due to their convenience and ease. Many patients report high satisfaction with virtual follow-ups, indicating telehealth as a reliable healthcare option. No evidence suggests serious problems caused by telehealth itself. As a result, telehealth visits are generally well-received, making them a good choice for those seeking hospice care at home. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about telehealth hospice visits for breast cancer because they offer a new way to provide care that is more accessible and convenient for patients. Unlike traditional hospice care, which usually requires in-person visits, telehealth allows patients to connect with healthcare providers from the comfort of their own homes. This method can reduce the stress and effort involved in traveling for appointments, making it easier for patients and their families to receive support. Additionally, regular check-ins via Zoom or phone can enhance the emotional and psychological support available, potentially improving patients' overall quality of life during hospice care.

What evidence suggests that telehealth hospice visits are effective for breast cancer patients?

Research has shown that telehealth can effectively help breast cancer patients. In this trial, participants in the Compassion Cohort will receive telehealth hospice visits, including four weekly check-ins via Zoom or phone call with the study team. A detailed review found that telehealth improves health outcomes for these patients. Another study showed that most patients felt they received care just as good through telehealth as with in-person visits. Additionally, telehealth for early palliative care (comfort care) proved as effective as traditional face-to-face care. Overall, patients reported high satisfaction and found telehealth services convenient. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Claire Smith, MD

Principal Investigator

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

The COMPASSION Study is for individuals with breast cancer who are currently receiving in-home hospice care. It's designed to understand the experience of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers by using telehealth check-ins.

Inclusion Criteria

I can speak and agree to take a survey in 4-6 weeks if I'm well enough.

Hospice setting is within Massachusetts

Willingness to provide a caregiver/loved one's contact information for survey contact at 4 weeks after enrollment

Exclusion Criteria

Hospice setting outside of Massachusetts

I started in home hospice care and may move to inpatient hospice.

I cannot give verbal consent.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

1 visit (phone call)

Introduction and Consent

Introduction to study and survey by brief, verbal consent via phone call

1 week

1 visit (phone call)

Survey and Check-ins

Participants complete a survey and have 4 weekly check-ins via Zoom or phone call with the study team

4-6 weeks

4 visits (virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for completion of telehealth intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Telehealth Hospice Visits

Trial Overview This study tests the effectiveness of telehealth visits as a way to support people with breast cancer and their caregivers during in-home hospice care, involving regular virtual interactions with oncology teams.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Compassion Cohort Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

25 participants will complete study procedures as follows: * Introduction to study and survey by brief, verbal consent via phone call. * At 4-6 weeks: survey completion via email or phone. * 4 weekly check-ins via Zoom or phone call with study team.

Group II: Usual Care Cohort Active Control 1 Intervention

25 participants will complete study procedures as follows: * Introduction to study and survey by brief, verbal consent via phone call. * At 4-6 weeks: survey completion via email or phone.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,128

Recruited

382,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12409339/

Telehealth Approach in Breast Cancer Care: A Systematic ... This systematic review aimed to identify the effectiveness of telehealth on clinical outcomes in breast cancer patients. Methods. This review ...

2. academic.oup.com academic.oup.com/oncolo/article/29/11/e1470/7715784

Patient-reported convenience and effectiveness of telehealth ... Our results indicate that telehealth can serve as an effective and satisfactory approach for delivering healthcare services to patients with breast cancer ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214782925000478

Evidence-based digital health for breast cancer survivors We conducted an umbrella review to summarize the evidence on digital health interventions aimed at improving health-related outcomes for BCS.

4. ajmc.com ajmc.com/view/telehealth-delivers-early-palliative-care-as-effectively-as-in-person-care

Telehealth Delivers Early Palliative Care as Effectively ... By week 24, the telehealth group had a mean of 4.75 palliative care encounters and the in-person group had a mean of 4.92 encounters. The ...

5. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39017637/

Patient-reported convenience and effectiveness of telehealth ... Most participants (n = 49, 82%) felt equally cared for during telehealth and in-person visits, and 40 participants (67%) reported feeling ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9458545/

The safety and acceptability of using telehealth for follow-up of ... This review aims to examine the feasibility, safety, and patient satisfaction with virtual follow-up appointments after cancer operations.

7. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/americantherapeutics/fulltext/2025/10000/safety_and_efficacy_of_telemedicine_for_patients.3.aspx

Safety and Efficacy of Telemedicine for Patients With... Results: Between July 2023 and January 2024, 26 patients with newly diagnosed advanced cancer were randomized, 23 completed the study and 3 died in the TM arm ...

8. healio.com healio.com/news/hematology-oncology/20240602/we-have-the-technology-telehealth-increases-access-to-palliative-care-for-cancer

Telehealth increases access to palliative care for cancer The telehealth group had a mean of 4.75 visits at week 24 and the in-person cohort had 4.92. The telehealth arm had a mean quality-of-life score ...