PACT Training for Oncology Nursing Care

Overseen By Talia Zaider, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Leaving MSK, Refuses observation, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new training program for nurses to enhance their interactions with families of cancer patients. The program, called the Partnership, Assessment, Care, and Transition (PACT) training intervention, aims to teach nurses how to better support family caregivers, helping them feel more involved and capable in caring for their loved ones. The study will determine if these skills lead to better outcomes for both caregivers and patients. Nurses who work with gastrointestinal cancer patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering and family members actively involved in the care of these patients can participate. As an unphased trial, this study offers participants the chance to contribute to innovative approaches in caregiver support.

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 the PACT training program is safe for nurses and caregivers?

Research has shown that the Partnership, Assessment, Care, and Transition (PACT) training program is well-received. It aims to improve the quality and safety of care during transitions between different types of cancer treatment. This is crucial for maintaining patient safety and health.

The PACT training enhances nurses' collaboration with family members as partners in care. This approach has not been associated with any negative effects on patients or nurses. Instead, it seeks to improve communication and support for both patients and their families.

As a training program rather than a medication, specific data on side effects does not exist. The goal is to make the care process smoother and safer. The focus is on teaching nurses skills that lead to better patient outcomes without adding risks. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the PACT Training intervention because it enhances the way oncology nurses care for patients by focusing on comprehensive assessments and personalized care planning. Unlike traditional methods that may not systematically address all aspects of patient care, this training emphasizes partnership and transition, ensuring that nurses are well-equipped to meet the physical, psychosocial, cultural, and informational needs of their patients. This holistic approach aims to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction by empowering nurses with the skills necessary to provide more effective and compassionate care.

What evidence suggests that the PACT training program is effective for improving family-centered care skills in oncology nursing?

Research shows that the PACT training program improves the quality of care during patient transitions between healthcare settings. In this trial, evaluators will assess nurses participating in the PACT training on their ability to manage these transitions effectively. Studies using the PACT-M tool demonstrate its effectiveness in measuring transition management, focusing on patients' opinions about discharge quality. Higher PACT-M scores correlate with better care quality, leading to improved outcomes for patients and their families. This training also aims to reduce caregiver stress by teaching nurses to involve family members as active partners in patient care. By addressing family support needs, PACT training empowers caregivers, enhancing the overall care experience. ^{2 4 5 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Talia Zaider, PhD

Principal Investigator

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for English-speaking nurses working day shifts in the GI unit at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and family caregivers of adult GI cancer patients admitted there. Caregivers must be involved in patient care but cannot participate if their patient has passed away or they were part of an earlier study phase.

Inclusion Criteria

I am an MSKCC nurse on the GI unit, comfortable with English.

Exclusion Criteria

I am a nurse planning to leave my current position or refuse observation within 3 months.

Family caregivers (FC) - Phases 1b, 2, 4: FC participated in an earlier study phase. FC's patient is deceased at time of consent.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Training

Nurses undergo the PACT training program to enhance family-centered care skills

4 weeks

Implementation

Nurses implement family-centered care practices in the GI inpatient unit

30 days

Ongoing assessments during shifts

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for the effectiveness of family-centered care practices

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Partnership, Assessment, Care and Transition training intervention

Trial Overview The PACT (Partnership, Assessment, Care, and Transition) training program is being tested to see if it improves nurses' skills in providing family-centered care. The impact on caregiver outcomes will also be assessed.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Nurses Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

MSKCC day-shift nurses (Clinical Nurse I to IV) assigned to the GI inpatient unit (MH16) at the time of study, all of whom provide initial and ongoing assessment of patients' physical, psychosocial, cultural and informational needs

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,998

Recruited

602,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A 1-day patient safety program for third-year medical students, which included online modules and simulation scenarios, was well-received with an average evaluation score of 4.2/5, indicating its effectiveness in teaching safety principles.

The program increased awareness of patient safety issues among students, with 59% reporting they were previously unaware of system-based safety approaches, and it empowered them to act on safety concerns, potentially reducing adverse events in oncology care.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Advancing the Future of Patient Safety in Oncology: Implications of Patient Safety Education on Cancer Care Delivery. James, TA., Goedde, M., Bertsch, T., et al.[2018]

The NCCN Third Annual Patient Safety Summit focused on improving patient safety in oncology by addressing medication reconciliation, communication during patient hand-offs, and reporting near-miss events, highlighting the importance of these processes in preventing adverse events.

Key strategies discussed included transitioning from paper to electronic systems and enhancing education and training for healthcare teams, emphasizing that every team member plays a crucial role in maintaining patient safety.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Report on the NCCN Third Annual Patient Safety Summit. Hinkel, JM.[2019]

A new model for patient participation in intravenous chemotherapy safety was developed based on a comprehensive review of chemotherapy-related adverse events and existing patient safety strategies, which can help reduce adverse reactions in cancer patients.

The model, refined through a Delphi-method questionnaire with an 82.36% response rate, includes detailed indicators for patient involvement and responsibilities of medical personnel, providing a structured approach for nurse practitioners to enhance patient safety during chemotherapy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A developed model of cancer patients participation in intravenous chemotherapy safety. Na, Z., Qiaoyuan, Y., Binghan, W., et al.[2019]

In a study of 29 nurses involved in cancer care at a tertiary hospital in Barcelona, 31% were identified as advanced practice nurses (APNs) meeting all competency standards, highlighting the presence of skilled professionals in oncology.

Most of the identified APNs had advanced degrees, with 24.1% holding a master's degree and 6.9% holding a PhD, emphasizing the need for recognizing and utilizing their competencies to improve patient care and optimize health resources in cancer treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Professional competencies of oncology nurses: Recognizing advanced practice in nursing. Muñoz-Villaverde, S., Martínez-García, M., Serrano-Oviedo, L., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7329420/

Validation of the Partners at Care Transitions Measure (PACT ... The PACT-M has shown evidence to suggest that it is a reliable measure to capture patients' perception of the quality of discharge arrangements and also on ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12087120/

Effectiveness of transitional care interventions in patients with ... Primary outcomes included mortality and/or survival, symptoms, functional status, caregiver burden, and health-related quality of life. Critical ...

3. bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-023-09228-7

Assessing the agreement between the partners at care ... The total PACT-M score is the sum of the two parts. A higher score for the total PACT-M indicates better quality of care during the transition.

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/342610344_Validation_of_the_Partners_at_Care_Transitions_Measure_PACT-M_assessing_the_quality_and_safety_of_care_transitions_for_older_people_in_the_UK

assessing the quality and safety of care transitions for older ... Conclusions: The PACT-M has shown evidence to suggest that it is a reliable measure to capture patients' perception of the quality of discharge arrangements and ...

5. ascopubs.org ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/GO.22.00017

Oncology Training Needs Assessment Among Health Care ... This study investigated the status of training and preparedness for oncology practice and research and degree of interprofessional collaboration among health ...

6. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-gastrointestinal-diseases-8-2021-d56fe

PACT Training for Oncology Nursing Care · Info for Participants ... Partnership, Assessment, Care and Transition training intervention will have tolerable side effects & efficacy for patients with Nursing, Gastrointestinal ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11349088/

The impact of patient engagement on patient safety in care ... This review will allow evidence-based conclusions about types and effects of different PFE interventions for transitional safety in oncology care.