U-CHAT: Understanding Communication in Health Care to Achieve Trust

Brief Summary

Communication between pediatric oncologists and parents of children with cancer is integral to the provision of optimal care, particularly during the difficult times of disease relapse or progression. However, little is known about the verbal and nonverbal strategies that pediatric oncologists use or the effectiveness of different communication styles in sharing prognostic information.

This study will use audio recording technology to analyze conversations between pediatric oncologists and parents at high-stress points of disease relapse or progression. Researchers hope to use the data to develop better ways of communicating and improve patient understanding and overall satisfaction.

Primary Objective

• To identify recurrent verbal and nonverbal communication techniques employed by pediatric oncologists in the delivery of difficult prognostic information to parents through content analysis of audio recorded conversations between pediatric oncologists and parents of children with high-risk cancer at times of disease re-evaluation

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria Include:

Primary oncologist:

• Attending physician age 18 years or older who provides medical care to patients in the Solid Tumor or Neuro-Oncology Clinics at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• Primary hematology-oncology fellows age 18 or older (audio-recorded disease reevaluation only)

Parents of children with cancer:

• Age 18 or older
• Biological parent, step-parent or primary legal guardian
• Reads and speaks English

Patients:

• Primary oncologist is enrolled in the study.
• 30 years old or younger
• Diagnosed with solid tumor and/or brain tumor
• Likelihood of cure is 50% or less
• Less than 3 months until end-of-therapy disease evaluation OR
• Disease has relapsed, progressed or not responded to therapy

Study Sites

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Memphis, Tennessee

About this Study

Caring for a child with cancer is a team effort. The patient and parents talk with the cancer doctor, also known as a pediatric oncologist, and other medical team members to make treatment decisions. These discussions can be especially difficult when a child’s cancer has worsened or come back after treatment because the news is not as good as expected.

This study will evaluate the communication between parents whose children have been treated for certain solid tumors at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the children’s pediatric oncologists.

Purpose of this Clinical Trial

Researchers want to understand better how pediatric oncologists communicate with patient families. They also want to determine what steps doctors can take to improve the way they share information with parents and patients.

Eligibility Overview

Parents of children with cancer:

• Age 18 or older
• Biological parent, step-parent or primary legal guardian
• Reads and speaks English

Patients:

• Primary oncologist is enrolled in the study.
• 30 years old or younger
• Diagnosed with solid tumor and/or brain tumor
• Likelihood of cure is 50% or less
• Less than 3 months until end-of-therapy disease evaluation OR
• Disease has relapsed, progressed or not responded to therapy