Program in Oncology for Tribal Health Systems.

Care Coordination and Communication Program in Oncology for Tribal Health Systems (C3PO)

This clinical trial aims to develop and implement more navigation assistance programs tailored specifically for Native American cancer patients, addressing the current lack of available support. The goal is to improve communication barriers within the healthcare system by fostering a collaborative approach between the Stephenson Cancer Center (SCC) and tribally operated healthcare systems (ITU). Through this partnership, the trial seeks to enhance patient outcomes by providing culturally sensitive, coordinated care.

This study aims to evaluate the impact of collaborative care meetings (CCM) on patient-reported outcomes through a two-phase approach including Native American patients with cancer. Phase I is a 3-month pilot with up to 15 patients completing baseline assessments, monthly surveys, and exit interviews. Phase II is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing the Care Coordination and Communication Program in Oncology for Tribal Health Systems (C3PO) intervention to usual care (standard Native American navigation services), with all participants accessing the C3PO intervention after 6 months. C3PO meetings will address treatment side effects, comorbidities, approvals for referred care, and barriers such as transportation or financial hardship.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants must be at least 18 years of age, within eight weeks of newly diagnosed cancer confirmed by pathology/imaging, navigated through the NANP at SCC and have verbal fluency in English.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants in the Phase 1 open pilot will not be eligible for the Phase 2 RCT.