Pilot Study of a Pharmacy Intervention for Older Adults With Cancer

Pilot Study of a Pharmacy Intervention for Older Adults With Cancer

The purpose of this research study is to address the challenge of medication management for older patients undergoing treatment for cancer. The sponsor of this protocol is the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center who is providing funding for this research study.

The goals of the proposed study are: (1) to demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of delivering PRIME (Pharmacist Reconciliation to Improve Medication Management in the Elderly) to older patients with breast, gastrointestinal, and lung cancers; and (2) to estimate the effect size (i.e. the magnitude of the difference between groups) of PRIME for improving medication management (e.g. accurate medication list, less polypharmacy, fewer potentially inappropriate medications) and achieving up-to-date vaccinations.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 65 or older
• Diagnosed with any stage breast, GI or lung cancer
• Panning to receive first-line chemotherapy at MGH
• Verbal fluency in English

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unwilling or unable to participate in the study
• Significant psychiatric, cognitive or other comorbid disease which the treating clinician believes prohibits informed consent or participation in the study