Financial Navigation Study Among Young Adult Blood Cancer Survivors

Tufts University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Financial Stress; Survivorship; Cancer

Treatments: Behavioral: Providing financial navigation via active navigation, ad hoc navigation or no study-based navigation.

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05620979

STUDY00001828

Details and patient eligibility

About

Young adult cancer survivors (18-39y) are at increased risk of financial distress. This study seeks to better understand the financial challenges experienced by these individuals via quantitative serial assessments, study-based financial navigator encounters and an end of study qualitative interview.

Full description

This fully remote, multi-site study will evaluate the role of financial navigators in relieving financial distress in young adults (18-39y) who have completed treatment for blood cancer at least three years ago. Serial Assessments at study entry, 3-months, and 6-months measure financial distress measured using the study's primary outcome measure the Personal Financial Wellness Scale™ (PFW) (see below), hypothesized effect modifiers (emotional distress, self-efficacy, cognitive functioning), as well as care seeking, household finances and insurance characteristics. Randomization will occur following completion of baseline measures (see below for description of study arms). In addition to a formal evaluation of the intervention at 3- and 6-months, an optional interview will occur following the 6-month assessment/navigation intervention period to gain further insight from participants about the acceptability of the intervention. For ethical considerations related to the topic of study, all participants will be provided with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's information specialist hotline.

Enrollment: 130 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 39 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Previous diagnosis and treatment of blood cancer (leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndrome, or myeloproliferative neoplasm)
2. Current age between 18-39 years old
3. Blood cancer diagnosis during childhood (0-17 years of age) or young adulthood (18-36 years of age)
4. At least three years post blood cancer diagnosis
5. Off treatment for blood cancer or on a long-term regimen with an oral anti-cancer medication with stable disease
6. Off treatment for a second cancer (non-blood cancer) or on a stable long-term regimen, such as hormone therapy or hormone replacement therapy
7. Primary residence in United States
8. Able to understand and read the English language

Exclusion criteria

• On parent or guardian's insurance

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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130 participants in 3 patient groups

Active Navigation

Active Comparator group

Description:

Active navigation with the study-based financial navigator scheduling four check-in meetings throughout the study with the participant. All participants will complete an assessment at baseline, 3 months and 6 months and be invited to participate in an optional interview after the 6-month assessment.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Providing financial navigation via active navigation, ad hoc navigation or no study-based navigation.

Ad Hoc Navigation

Active Comparator group

Description:

Ad hoc navigation in which participant is provided study-based financial navigator to contact as needed. All participants will complete an assessment at baseline, 3 months and 6 months and be invited to participate in an optional interview after the 6-month assessment.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Providing financial navigation via active navigation, ad hoc navigation or no study-based navigation.

No study-based Navigation

Active Comparator group

Description:

No access to a study-based financial navigator, but access to a national hotline through the Leukemia \& Lymphoma Society. All participants will complete an assessment at baseline, 3 months and 6 months and be invited to participate in an optional interview after the 6-month assessment.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Providing financial navigation via active navigation, ad hoc navigation or no study-based navigation.