Primary Care Connect for Cancer Survivors
(ACCESS-PC Trial)
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores whether a new approach called Primary Care Connect (PC2) helps cancer survivors with other health issues, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, manage their heart health better than usual care. The trial examines whether staying connected with primary care during cancer treatment improves the management of these chronic conditions. It also gathers feedback from patients and healthcare teams about this new way of coordinating care. Suitable participants include those recently diagnosed with certain cancers, like breast or prostate cancer, who have ongoing health issues such as hypertension or diabetes requiring medication. Participants will complete surveys and attend clinic visits to track their progress. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative care strategies that could enhance overall health management for cancer survivors.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, since it involves managing chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, it's likely you will continue your current medication regimen.
What prior data suggests that the Primary Care Connect intervention is safe for cancer survivors?
Research shows that specific safety data for the Primary Care Connect (PC2) treatment is not available. However, this approach enhances communication between cancer care and primary care teams. As a system-based method rather than a medication or physical treatment, it is generally well-tolerated.
Since PC2 is neither a drug nor a surgical procedure, it is unlikely to cause physical side effects. The primary goal is to coordinate care and manage existing conditions. This approach is generally considered safe, as it seeks to improve communication and care without introducing new medical risks.12345Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about the Primary Care Connect (PC2) approach because it bridges the gap between cancer care and primary care, offering a more integrated way to manage chronic diseases for cancer survivors. Unlike standard care, which often leaves primary care providers with limited information about a patient's cancer treatment history, PC2 provides comprehensive educational materials and direct communication between oncology and primary care teams. This method ensures that primary care providers are well-informed about the impacts of cancer treatment on chronic conditions, potentially leading to better overall health management for survivors.
What evidence suggests that the Primary Care Connect intervention is effective for managing cardiovascular risk in complex cancer survivors?
Research shows that good communication and teamwork between regular doctors and cancer specialists can lead to better treatment results for cancer survivors. Past studies revealed that about two-thirds of cancer survivors continued seeing their regular doctors, underscoring the importance of this relationship. Patients who maintained visits with their regular doctors often had better control of ongoing health issues like high blood pressure and diabetes. Additionally, studies found that cancer survivors who stayed in touch with their regular doctors were generally healthier. This suggests that maintaining this connection can improve overall care. In this trial, the Primary Care Connect program aims to enhance this teamwork to help manage heart health in cancer survivors with complex health needs. Participants in the Primary Care Connect arm will receive educational materials and improved communication between their cancer care and primary care teams.26789
Who Is on the Research Team?
Dena O'Malley, PhD, MSW
Principal Investigator
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for 'complex' cancer survivors who also have chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol. Participants should be on medication for these conditions and are now facing cardiovascular disease risks.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Enrollment and Education
Participants receive educational materials about the study and the importance of shared care for chronic disease management
Active Treatment and Monitoring
Participants receive care guided by the Primary Care Connect (PC2) intervention or usual care, with regular check-ups and tests related to the study
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, focusing on chronic disease management and patient-reported outcomes
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Primary Care Connect
Trial Overview
The study tests a health system intervention called Primary Care Connect (PC2) to see if it helps manage cardiovascular risk better than usual care. It involves staying connected with primary care during cancer treatment and managing chronic diseases.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Patients enrolled in this arm will be provided print and video educational materials about the importance of shared care to manage existing and prevent exacerbations in chronic disease management. Additionally, their cancer care team will provide a brief protocolized communication to their primary care team that explain how their initial treatment may impact chronic disease management, clarifying the primary care role during acute treatment, and providing contact information for cancer team. Primary care providers of patients enrolled in this arm will receive an outreach packet that includes information provided in print and short video to explain the rationale of the intervention and the materials provided by the cancer care team.
Patients in this arm will not receive the intervention.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Lead Sponsor
Published Research Related to This Trial
Citations
Advancing Care Coordination Between Cancer and ...
The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to learn if 'complex' cancer patients who receive care guided by a health system intervention, Primary Care ...
Primary Care Connect for Cancer Survivors · Info ...
The research highlights that effective communication and coordination between primary care and cancer specialists can improve treatment outcomes for cancer ...
Primary Care Provider Visits Among Cancer Survivors 5-7 ...
In 5-7 years postdiagnosis, PCPs were engaged in care for 43% of survivors. Survivors with sustained PCP-engagement were on average 4.6 years ...
Enhancing capacity for primary care research in cancer ...
Research has shown that approximately two-thirds of survivors receive care from primary care physicians.4 Thus, it is critical to ensure that primary care teams ...
Outcomes of cancer survivorship education and training for ...
Three studies reported positive outcomes at the patient level (i.e., satisfaction with care) and organizational level (i.e., increased screening ...
Identifying and Characterizing Cancer Survivors in the US ...
This large observational study using primary care electronic health record data reveals several important findings about adult cancer survivors.
7.
acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cncr.32295Identifying and characterizing cancer survivors in the US ...
A total of 40,266 cancer survivors were identified (prevalence of 3.0% of adult CHC patients). Compared with matched cancer-free patients, a ...
Primary Care Provider Visits Among Cancer Survivors 5-7 ...
We found most survivors were lost to PCP follow-up 5-7 years postdiagnosis. Our study is among the first to contribute empirical evidence of survivors being ...
Cancer Survivors: Coordinating Oncology & Primary Care
Multiple studies have shown that, compared to the general population, cancer survivors may have a higher risk of subsequent cancers, a range of ...
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