Cost Discussion Intervention for Financial Hardship in Cancer

(DISCO Trial)

Overseen By Lauren M Hamel, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

20 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to help cancer care providers discuss the financial challenges patients may face during treatment more openly. It involves developing and testing a new communication tool, the Disco Provider Companion Intervention, designed to work alongside an app called DISCO, which assists patients in discussing costs. The trial seeks oncology care providers, such as doctors and nurses, who work with cancer patients at Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit or Farmington Hills. Participants will complete a survey and attend two meetings to help create and test the new tool. This opportunity allows providers to enhance support for patients in managing the financial aspects of cancer care. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique chance to contribute to innovative solutions in patient-provider communication.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that this intervention is safe for cancer providers?

Research has shown that the DISCO Provider Companion Intervention helps cancer patients and their doctors discuss treatment costs more easily. This intervention aims to reduce the financial burden on patients, known as financial toxicity. While no specific studies have examined the safety of this intervention, it is part of a broader effort to enhance communication between patients and healthcare providers.

The intervention employs simple communication tools rather than medicine or surgery, so it is not expected to cause physical harm. No reports of negative effects have emerged from using these communication tools. The goal is to make cost discussions more effective, potentially reducing stress and improving the overall patient experience.

As a communication-based tool, it is generally considered safe. If the DISCO app has been used previously without safety issues, the provider companion intervention should also be well-tolerated. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the DISCO (Discussions of Cost) Provider Companion Intervention because it tackles financial hardship in cancer care by facilitating important cost discussions between patients and their providers. Unlike typical cancer treatments that focus solely on medical outcomes, this intervention aims to address financial stress, which can significantly impact a patient's quality of life and adherence to treatment. By enhancing communication about costs, DISCO seeks to make cancer care more accessible and manageable for patients, offering a holistic approach that goes beyond traditional medical interventions.

What evidence suggests that the DISCO Provider Companion Intervention is effective for addressing financial hardship in cancer?

Research has shown that the DISCO App, part of the DISCO (Discussions of Cost) Provider Companion Intervention tested in this trial, helps cancer patients discuss treatment costs with their doctors. Studies have found that the app simplifies asking questions about costs. Patients using the app felt more confident discussing financial matters, which is crucial for reducing stress about finances during treatment. The DISCO App is practical, and patients are willing to use it. Experts say that early discussions about costs can help lessen financial strain for patients. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Lauren M Hamel, PhD

Principal Investigator

Wayne State University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals experiencing financial hardship due to cancer treatment costs. It's also open to healthy subjects interested in the study. Specific eligibility criteria are not provided, but typically participants must meet certain health and demographic requirements.

Inclusion Criteria

Oncology care providers at Karmanos Cancer Institute (KCI)/Wayne State University(WSU) including medical oncologists, nurses, social workers and advance practice providers who treat cancer patients at KCI Detroit or Farmington Hills clinics

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Development

Participants complete a baseline survey and attend a one-on-one meeting for the development of the DISCO Provider intervention.

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Pilot Testing

Participants attend a one-on-one meeting to pilot test the DISCO Provider intervention and provide feedback on its usability and acceptability.

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for feedback on the intervention's effectiveness and suggestions for improvement.

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Disco Provider Companion Intervention

Trial Overview The trial is testing a new intervention called Disco Provider Companion Intervention, designed to help cancer care providers discuss treatment costs with patients more effectively. This goes alongside an app already being tested that helps patients understand costs.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: DISCO (Discussions of Cost) Provider Companion Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Providers of Cancer patients at Karmanos Cancer Institute will use the DISCO (Discussion of Cost) provider communication intervention to assess its feasibility, acceptability, and usability

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute

Lead Sponsor

Trials

166

Recruited

9,300+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04766190

DISCO: A Patient Intervention to Reduce the Financial ... The DISCO App is designed to improve, during the interaction, patient active participation and patient-initiated oncologist treatment cost discussions, and, ...

2. ascopubs.org ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.2025.43.16_suppl.TPS1659

DISCO App: A patient intervention to reduce the financial ... The DISCO App was shown to be feasible, acceptable, and preliminarily effective at prompting cost discussions and improving related outcomes in ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10194252/

The DISCO App: A pilot test of a multi-level intervention to ... The DISCO App: A pilot test of a multi-level intervention to reduce the financial burden of cancer through improved cost communication. Lauren M Hamel ...

4. accc-cancer.org accc-cancer.org/docs/documents/oncology-issues/articles/2022/v37-n2/v37n2-how-do-you-disco.pdf

How Do You DISCO? Many experts argue that treatment cost discussions between oncologists and patients early in their treatment can help mitigate financial toxicity by ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772628221000029

The DISCO App: A pilot test of a multi-level intervention to ... Most patients reported needing ≤15 min to use the DISCO App, and that it made it easier to ask cost-related questions. Findings showed increased self-efficacy ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8447769/

DISCO App: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial ... Financial toxicity, the material and psychological burden of the cost of treatment, affects 30–50% of people with cancer, even those with health insurance.

7. trialfinder.panfoundation.org trialfinder.panfoundation.org/en-US/trial/listing/272840

DISCO: A Patient Intervention to Reduce the Financial ... Data from oncologists will include their self-report data and video-recorded treatment discussions with participating patients.

8. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07042191?viewType=Table&rank=5

A Provider Intervention to Reduce Financial Toxicity in ... The overall goal of this research program is to address financial toxicity through the development, testing, and implementation of a multi-level communication ...