Targeted Palliative Care Intervention for Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer
Randomized Trial of a Targeted Palliative Care Intervention for Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer
Massachusetts General Hospital
400 participants
Oct 1, 2025
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Many people living with metastatic breast cancer face challenging symptoms and frequent medical visits. At the same time, conversations about personal goals, values, and preferences for care may not always happen as early or as often as patients and families would like. This multi-site study will test the effectiveness of a five-session palliative care program, designed specifically for people with metastatic breast cancer and their caregivers, to strengthen communication with clinicians about what matters most in their care. The study aims to inform how palliative care services can be delivered in a more timely, personalized, and scalable way for people living with advanced cancers who have long disease trajectories, such as metastatic breast cancer.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria9
- age ≥18 years
- diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer
- within 8 weeks of the oncology visit at which they were identified as having an eligible Epic EOL Care Index (≥ 15)
- functioning independently per an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤2
- receiving their cancer care at one of the participating institutions
- able to complete questionnaires in English or Spanish
- age ≥18 years
- identified by the patient as a family member or friend who is primarily involved in their care
- able to complete questionnaires in English or Spanish
Exclusion Criteria3
- received outpatient palliative care visit within the last six months
- enrolled in hospice services
- diagnosed with a comorbid condition that impairs their ability to understand study procedures and/or consent for the trial as per the report of the oncology clinician(s)
Interventions
Palliative care intervention focused on eliciting patients' goals and values to facilitate discussion and documentation of health care preferences.
Oncology clinicians will receive an electronic message to encourage them to discuss and document their patients' health care preferences.
Locations(3)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
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NCT06795529