Communication-Companions-in-Cancer-Care-study

Researcher

Kathryn Greene, PhD, Rutgers University; Katie Devine, PhD, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey; Smita Banerjee, PhD, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Maria Venetis, PhD, Rutgers University; Danielle Catona, PhD, George Mason University; Maria Checton, PhD, College of Saint Elizabeth.

Summary

Studies have shown that effective communication is important for good health outcomes. However, little is known about the types of communication that takes place between cancer patients and their “companions”–the friends or family members who accompany them to many or most of their cancer-related appointments. For this study, researchers will have current cancer patients, former cancer patients, and patient companions complete a survey about how they felt about their communication experiences. The researchers will use the information to develop a program that can help cancer patients and their companions communicate better during cancer-related appointments.

What does participation involve?
The researchers are recruiting current cancer patients, former cancer patients, and patient companions who attend cancer-related appointments for a 30-minute online survey. This survey will cover topics relating to communicating about symptoms during cancer-related appointments.

Where?
Anywhere in the U.S.

How can I sign up for this study?

You can join this study if you match ONE of these main categories:

Patient: Less than two years post-diagnosis of any cancer who are currently undergoing treatment and sometimes (or regularly) bring a companion to cancer-related appointments.

(or)

Former patient: 2-5 years post-diagnosis of any cancer who have completed surgery/chemotherapy or radiation (you may still be on hormonal therapy) and sometimes (or regularly) bring a companion to cancer-related appointments.

(or)

Patient companion: Anyone who has accompanied a cancer patient to a cancer-related appointment at any point during their treatment.

If you are interested in participating, please click the link below to be directed to the survey that applies to you.

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