Use of a Video Decision Tool to Improve Informed Decision-Making in Hospitalized Patients Considering Palliative Radiation Therapy

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)

Status: Completed

Conditions: Metastatic Cancer or Locally Advanced; Patients Receiving Palliative Radiation

Treatments: Behavioral: questionnaires

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01667965

12-172

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness and acceptability of a recently created informative video geared for patients who have been evaluated by a radiation oncologist for palliative radiation therapy during a hospitalization at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Palliative radiation therapy is radiation therapy that is given to patients with the purpose of easing symptoms from cancer. It is not given with the intent to cure the cancer. The video presents basic information about palliative radiation and palliative care.

Enrollment: 43 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥18 years
• Eligible for palliative radiation to the brain, spine, chest, abdomen, pelvis, skin, or bone as per the judgment of the radiation oncologist or nurse practitioner
• Patient is English-speaking and able to give informed consent and fill out study questionnaires
• Hospitalized at MSKCC
• Pathologically confirmed malignancy
• Cancer is metastatic or locally advanced, and is not curable
• Patients who may undergo radiation at a satellite facility are still eligible for protocol enrollment

Exclusion criteria

• Those who have seen the video beforehand

Trial design

43 participants in 1 patient group

pts receiving palliative radiation therapy

Description:

The design of the study will be a prospective non-randomized cohort study with structured questionnaires administered to all enrolled patients at two or three time-points.

Treatment:

Behavioral: questionnaires