Visual Communication Tool for Cancer

Overseen By Julie Xiao

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: NYU Langone Health

Disqualifiers: Non-English, Other disease sites, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

86 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This is a study in patients with newly diagnosed cancer to prospectively evaluate the feasibility of integration of a visual communication tool for patients/caregivers/providers by determining whether such a tool can increase overall satisfaction with the patient experience.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Visual Communication Tool for cancer?

Research shows that tools like patient-reported outcome measures and question prompt lists can improve communication between patients and doctors, help manage symptoms, and increase patient involvement in their care. These tools can also help patients ask more questions and plan for consultations, which may lead to better health outcomes. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the Visual Communication Tool for Cancer differ from other treatments for cancer?

The Visual Communication Tool for Cancer is unique because it uses medical infographics to help patients understand their symptoms and communicate more effectively with healthcare professionals, unlike traditional treatments that focus solely on medical interventions. ^{5 6 7 8 9}

Research Team

Jason Domogauer, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

NYU Langone Health

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for newly diagnosed cancer patients. It aims to see if a visual communication tool can help them, their caregivers, and healthcare providers by improving satisfaction with the treatment experience.

Inclusion Criteria

I speak English.

I am receiving treatment aimed at curing my cancer.

Patients treated at NYU Langone Health for their malignancy

Exclusion Criteria

I have cancer in parts of the body not listed in the criteria.

Unable to complete the survey portion of the study independently

I do not speak English and the tool is not available in my language yet.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Consultation and Tool Integration

Participants receive a visual communication tool during the patient consultation to explain their disease and treatment options, followed by a survey

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants, caregivers, and providers complete satisfaction surveys to assess the effectiveness of the visual communication tool

1 day

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Visual Communication Tool

Trial Overview The study is testing a digital visual communication tool designed to enhance understanding of cancer treatment options. The goal is to assess whether this tool increases overall satisfaction among patients, caregivers, and medical professionals.

Participant Groups

Group I: Patients (and caregivers) recently diagnosed with cancer Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Enrolled patients will receive a tool during the patient consultation encounter to explain their disease location and stage, role of radiation, logistics of radiation treatment delivery and sequencing of treatment. Following the encounter, a survey will be provided. If patients are accompanied by a caregiver(s), they will also receive a survey.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

NYU Langone Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,431

Recruited

838,000+

Findings from Research

Open, honest, and timely communication between clinicians and cancer patients is crucial, as it has been shown to reduce anxiety, especially when discussing life expectancy and prognosis.

While techniques that encourage patient participation in decision-making lead to greater satisfaction, they do not necessarily reduce distress, highlighting the need for personalized communication strategies that consider individual patient preferences.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinician-patient communication: a systematic review. Rodin, G., Mackay, JA., Zimmermann, C., et al.[2022]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Web-based communication aid for patients with cancer: the CONNECT Study. [2021]

2. Australia pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Medical Oncology Care Plan: a tool for improving the provision of clinical information to patients. [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tools to facilitate communication during physician-patient consultations in cancer care: An overview of systematic reviews. [2020]

4. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinician-patient communication: a systematic review. [2022]

5. Japan pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Effective methods of organizing complex information in advanced cancer patients]. [2015]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The development of medical infographics to raise symptom awareness and promote communication to patients with cancer: A co-creation study. [2023]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient information handouts: taking care of yourself--a self-help guide for patients with cancer. [2013]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient-Specific Actual-Size Three-Dimensional Printed Models for Patient Education in Glioma Treatment: First Experiences. [2019]

9. Ireland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Designing for diffusion: how can we increase uptake of cancer communication innovations? [2022]