Values and Options in Cancer Care 2.0 (VOICE 2.0): Building on Lessons Learned to Improve Communication and Illness Understanding in Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers
Values and Options in Cancer Care 2.0 (VOICE 2.0): Building on Lessons Learned to Improve Communication and Illness Understanding in Cancer Patients and Their Caregivers
The purpose of this study is to develop and test a new communication intervention, "Values and Options in Cancer Care 2.0" (VOICE 2.0), which involves oncologist training, patient and caregiver coaching, and caregiver support.
The VOICE 2.0 intervention was developed by members of the study team to improve communication among oncologists, patients with cancer, and caregivers. Researchers have found that clear communication about the patient's disease can help with the planning of that patient's future care and improve the well-being of both the patient and his or her caregiver. The long-term goals of developing and testing VOICE 2.0 include improving the care and respecting the wishes of cancer patients, and helping those patients and their caregivers have an improved quality of life during their experience with cancer.
Inclusion Criteria:
ONCOLOGISTS:
PATIENTS:
Per medical record and/or self-report, a patient of an oncologist participating in this study
As per medical record and/or self-report, diagnosis of:
As per medical record and/or self-report, fluent in English
As per medical record and/or self-report, age 18 or older
As per self-report, has a primary informal caregiver (as defined by an unpaid individual who provides the patient with emotional, physical, and/or practical support) who is willing and able to participate in the study
As per self-report, residency in New York or ability to complete sessions in New York to ensure that provision of intervention is covered by the professional licenses of interventionists (i.e., social workers licensed in New York State)
As per self-report, able to communicate over video-conference and phone for sessions
As per self-report, willing to be audio-recorded for assessments and study sess
CAREGIVERS:
As per patient report, is a primary informal caregiver ("a family member, partner, friend, or other individual involved with your health care issues, preferably someone who comes to physician appointments with you") for an MSK patient
As per self-report, fluent in English
As per self-report, age 18 or older
As per self-report, ability to complete sessions in a state the interventionists are legally allowed to practice in (i.e., social workers licensed in New York or New Jersey State; states with shared license laws)
As per self-report, able to communicate over video-conference and phone for sessions
As per self-report, willing to be audio-recorded for assessments and study sessions ** Language verification: For both patients and caregivers, prior to enrollment, all will be asked the following two questions by an CRC to verify English fluency necessary for participation in the study:
Exclusion Criteria:
PATIENTS:
CAREGIVERS: