Development and Piloting an Avatar-based Intervention to Support Patients Undergoing Stem Cell Transplantation

Development of Avatar-based Intervention to Support Patients Undergoing Reduced-Intensity Allogenic Stem Cell Transplantation

The goal of this research study is to provide an avatar-based technology during a subject's stay for participants who have been admitted to the hospital for reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) allogeneic transplant. The intervention received will be the care.coach technology.

This research study is a Pilot Study, which means the investigators are studying the application in a smaller group of people to understand whether the technology, care.coach, is easy to use.

This is a single site study at Dana-Farber Brigham and Women's Cancer Center.

• Aim 1 of the study will be an 8 - 10 participant focus group of nurses, navigator nurses, physicians, and NPs/PAs to refine the avatar protocols.

• Aim 2 of the study will be a pilot of 18 participants undergoing RIC allogeneic HCT in the hospital.

  • The research study procedures include screening for eligibility, a brief call with a research assistant during use of care.coach avatar, and a survey after study completion.
  • The avatar is designed to communicate with participants regarding transplantation education and provide reminders for eating, drinking, and activity.
  • care.coach is a digital, avatar-based technology that communicates using natural speech software.
  • care.coach is supporting this research by providing Dana-Farber access to its technology. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) also supports this research.

Inclusion Criteria for HCT focus group:

• Age 18+.
• DFCI/HCC HCT nurse navigators, inpatient HCT nurses, and HCT physicians and extenders (NP/PA).

Inclusion Criteria for care.coach pilot:

• Age 18+.
• Admitted for reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) allogeneic HCT

Exclusion Criteria for care.coach pilot:

Deemed by clinical staff or RA to be unable to converse with an avatar, due to:

• Severe, uncorrectable hearing impairment and simultaneous severe, uncorrectable vision impairment.
• Severe speech impairment that precludes understanding by staff (and by extension, by the avatar).
• Not fluent in English.