Engagement of Veterans With Lung Cancer (EVLC)

Summary

This research study will help our understanding of whether additional support for Veterans with lung cancer can improve their quality of life.

Detailed description

This study aims to evaluate whether a lay health worker who provides education and support regarding goals of care and symptom management can improve health-related quality of life among Veterans with newly diagnosed lung cancer and those receiving treatment or who have completed treatment within 12 months as compared to usual care. We will also determine whether the intervention reduces acute care use and explore effects on anxiety and depression, patient activation, and goals of care communication. This knowledge is important as it will help to improve care for Veterans with lung cancer. PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: i.) Health-related quality of life SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: i.) acute care use ii.) patient activation iii.) anxiety and depression iv.) documentation of goals of care (GoC) v.) palliative care use vi.) hospice use OUTLINE: The study will enroll and randomize 1:1 a total of 194 Veterans diagnosed with lung cancer (any stage). Arm A: Participants randomized to the usual care group will receive usual care provided by their oncology clinical team. Arm B: Participants randomized to the LHW group will receive usual care provided by their oncology clinical team and also receive weekly telephone calls with a trained lay health worker to assist with healthcare planning, symptom management, and discussions about care preferences and goals for 6 months. All participants regardless of group randomization, will be required to complete surveys at the start of the study and at 3-month intervals for 12 months (i.e., at enrollment, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months).

Arms & interventions

• BehavioralLay Health Worker (LHW) Planning

  Patients randomized to the LHW group will receive usual care provided by their oncology (or primary) clinical team along with an initial 30-minute telephone call with the LHW from Palo Alto, followed by weekly 15-minute phone calls (or as needed) for 6months. These calls are designed to assist with healthcare planning, symptom management, and discussions about care preferences and goals.

• OtherUsual Care Group

  Participants randomized to the usual care group will receive usual care provided by their oncology clinical team. These teams have been trained in symptom assessment, goals-of-care (GoC) discussions, and documentation of such clinical services. As part of usual care, participants may engage in symptom and GoC discussions at any time, initiated by either the patient or the clinician.

Outcome measures

Eligibility criteria