Abstract
Background/Aims For over four years, CRN Cancer Communication Research Center (CCRC)-affiliated investigators have conducted research into patient-centered cancer communication and care coordination. One of 5 National Cancer Institute-funded Centers of Excellence in Cancer Communication Research, the CRN CCRC is the only center whose primary focus is studying and improving clinical care. This abstract describes CCRC research, lessons learned, and future directions.
Methods CCRC research studies include two RO1-type projects; one focuses on enhancing communication and coordination through innovative use of nurse navigators in oncology care; the other focuses on understanding and improving clinician-patient communication related to breakdowns in cancer care. CCRC pilot studies have explored diverse topics including improving communication to reduce home medication errors in pediatric oncology, clinician-patient communication around prostate cancer screening decisions, the relationship between “oral” health literacy and colorectal cancer screening, and direct-to-consumer communication about genetic testing. An NCI-funded supplement explored stakeholders’ views on collecting patient reports of cancer-related communication, while another examined the feasibility of cancer prognostic tools in clinical practice.
Results Setting CCRC studies in CRN clinical systems has provided the distinct advantage of allowing researchers to examine feasibility as well as effectiveness of interventions. Patients, clinicians and clinical leaders have all expressed support for CCRC efforts to improve communication and care coordination, acknowledging the importance of communication in cancer care. At the same time, leaders and clinicians are conscious of increasing time constraints, competing priorities, and limited resources. Patients are willing to share their experiences and insights, as long as doing so does not jeopardize their care, or distract them from their battle with cancer.
Conclusions Patient-centered communication and care coordination are central to quality cancer care. CCRC research projects have engendered support and enthusiasm among the clinical systems, but have also faced significant challenges. Ultimately, the CCRC has provided CRN researchers with opportunities to develop and test multi-level interventions focusing on cancer communication and care coordination in clinical systems. Going forward, CCRC-affiliated researchers look forward to implementing systems for collecting patient reports of communication experiences across the cancer care continuum, and to expanding communication research capabilities within the CRN.
