Our research centers on the cancer patient’s experience utilizing a variety of methods and tools by collecting real would evidence using patient reported outcomes, interviewing techniques, novel mobile applications, websites, and surveys. We are fortunate to work with an extensive number or oncologist collaborators which positions us with the ability to develop robust studies in numerous areas of cancer. The following features a few of our studies:

AML Decision Aid – Patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often struggle to understand their diagnosis, and face very challenging decisions about treatment. We’re developing and testing a decision aid that will help AML patients better understand their illness, and their choices. This work is made possible through the generous support of the American Cancer Society, via a “Mentored Research Scholar Grant” to Dr. LeBlanc. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03442452

ePRO Initiative – We’re piloting a workflow for collecting electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) data within the Epic EMR environment, via the patient portal and with electronic tablets in the clinic. This work has been supported in part via funds from the Duke Institute of Health Innovation (DIHI) and the DCI.

HL Burden – This research explored the burden of disease and illness experience as reported by patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) seen in the DCI clinics. The primary objectives of the study were to describe the magnitude and sources of distress in HL patients seen at Duke, via the “Distress Thermometer” instrument, as already collected in the DCI clinics per routine care, and identify the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in HL patients, as identified in Duke nursing documentation during clinic visits.

SCOPE-Leukemia -This study evaluates how to best address the physical and emotional needs of patients with AML and their caregivers. This is a multisite national randomized research study in which Duke is a participating site. The study is based at Massachusetts General Hospital, and led by Dr. Areej El-Jawahri. This study will randomly assign hospitals to deliver either specialty palliative care (PC) or primary PC for patients with AML. The primary objective is to determine whether primary PC is non-inferior to specialty PC for improving quality of life (QOL) in patients with AML. This study was made possible by generous support from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Initiative (PCORI).

Expressive Writing – Newly diagnosed AML patients must not only process sudden bad news about a dire prognosis, but also face difficult choices regarding their cancer care which can cause high levels of distress. A promising approach to assist AML patients with managing their distress is the use of an “expressive writing” intervention. Our research objective is to determine if providing an expressive writing intervention to hospitalized AML patients shortly after diagnosis is feasible and acceptable, and also whether it may improve patients’ illness experiences. This research is supported by funding from the Duke Cancer Control and Supportive Care Services. 

BEST – This is a multisite randomized prospective research study that examines the benefits and risk factors for harms of opioids in individuals with metastatic cancer in which Duke is a participating site. The study utilizes PROs to gather data related opioid use and misuse by patients, patient and caregiver decision-making, an  opioid benefits and risk factors for harms over time. The study is based at the University of Pittsburgh and led by Dr. Jessica Merlin.

LEAP – This is a multisite national randomized clinical trial of early, integrated palliative care as part of induction chemotherapy treatment for patients with high-risk AML in which Duke is a participating site. The study is based at Massachusetts General Hospital, and led by Dr. Areej El-Jawahri. Other participating sites include the University of Pennsylvania, and The Ohio State University. To our knowledge, this is the first randomized study of a palliative care intervention in patients with AML. This study was made possible in part by generous support from the Cambia Health Foundation, via a Sojourns Scholars Leadership Award to Dr. LeBlanc at the Duke Cancer Institute.  https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02975869

PROTECT – With funding from the National Cancer Institute, this multisite national randomized clinical trial is testing the impact of early, integrated palliative care on patient and caregiver outcomes in those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We are a partner in this study, which is led by Dr. Areej El-Jawahri at the Massachusetts General Hospital. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03641378

D-SCAN – The Digital Supportive Care Awareness and Navigation (D-SCAN) project is a collaborative effort to develop, test, and implement a mobile application to enhance the awareness of patients and families regarding available supportive care services in the DCI. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03628794