Recovery Support for Bladder Cancer
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
For patients with certain types of bladder cancer, the removal of the bladder and the construction of an artificial bladder or reservoir are the only treatment options. Both before and after treatment, patients and caregivers face profound challenges preparing for surgery and planning for tasks during their recovery. To aid in recovery and enhance quality of life this program of research will develop and evaluate a multi-stage intervention geared towards patients and their caregivers. Part 1 of this program will have a nurse or trained health professional prepare both patients and their caregivers before treatment about the upcoming surgery. During this time the nurse will also demonstrate the necessary tools and techniques for stoma care. In addition, patients and their caregivers will receive access to a recovery website, specifically designed for bladder cancer patients to be used as a resource for after treatment. The website will be part 2 of this research and will contain important recovery information, videos about post-surgical care, testimonials by other patients and physicians and a variety of other resources. Patients and caregivers in the control group will receive the Facing Forward brochures from the National Cancer Institute in part 2. This research has been funded by the National Cancer Institute and will be the first study to address the needs of bladder cancer patients and their caregivers. The ultimate goal of the study is to reduce infections and unplanned nurse/ER visits and improve quality of life for both patients and their caregivers. This new program will be evaluated over the course of 12-months and if found successful, has the potential to be disseminated throughout the health care systems of the two study sites.
Research Team
Michael Diefenbach, PhD
Principal Investigator
Northwell Health
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for English-speaking men and women diagnosed with bladder cancer who are about to have their bladders removed and replaced with an artificial one (ileal conduit, neobladder, or Indiana pouch). They should not be in need of or already finished with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Caregivers must be in a stable caregiving role, not temporary.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Pre-treatment Preparation
In-person preparatory instructional session with a trained health care professional to equip patients and caregivers with skills for upcoming treatment and recovery
Post-treatment Support
Interactive web-based program providing support to enhance quality of life and reduce infections and nurse/ER visits
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for quality of life, infection rates, and nurse/ER visits
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Cancer Resource Information Support (CRIS)
- CRIS - Cancer Resource Information Support
- Usual Care Enhanced
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Northwell Health
Lead Sponsor
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Collaborator