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Involving Family to Improve Communication in Breast Cancer Care

Involving Family to Improve Communication in Breast Cancer Care

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03283553
Enrollment
132
Registered
2017-09-14
Start date
2017-07-20
Completion date
2019-11-07
Last updated
2021-03-19

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Active Breast Cancer Treatment

Keywords

breast cancer

Brief summary

This study evaluates a multi-component communication intervention in the outpatient setting to strengthen communication among patients being actively treated for breast cancer and their support network of family members and friends. The intervention comprises: 1.) a patient-family agenda-setting checklist completed immediately before a regularly scheduled oncology visit, 2.) facilitated registration for the patient portal (for patient and family member, as desired by the patient), and 3.) education (as relevant) on access to clinician electronic visit notes. The study team will conduct a two-group randomized trial to examine feasibility of the protocol and to compare quality of communication with oncology providers, understanding of patient's cancer, confidence in managing patient's care and satisfaction with cancer care between patient-companion dyads who are in the intervention group (n=60) and patient-companion dyads who receive usual medical oncology care (n=60).

Detailed description

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among survivors in the US. Most patients with breast cancer receive help from family in making complex decisions about treatment, handling logistically demanding care coordination, and managing symptoms and side effects. Although family members (as defined by each patient) play a vital role in cancer care, they are not formally recognized or assessed in care delivery, and their need for information and support is typically unmet. Lack of attention to family in care delivery is an important gap that too often leaves families without adequate information about patient health and treatments. This may prevent families and patients from engaging in open conversations, cause them unnecessary anxiety, and negatively affect the quality of cancer care and delivery. Communication is particularly important in cancer care, as the optimal course of action is determined through longitudinal discussion of prognosis, treatments, and patient goals, preferences, and concerns. Strategies to improve communication for serious illnesses such as cancer have been developed, but typically target a specific decision, conversation, or setting, most often the inpatient hospital. There is growing agreement that communication among patients, families, and providers should be initiated early and continue throughout the disease trajectory. However, little is known about how to provide both patients and families with access to timely information about patient health and mechanisms to communicate directly with health care providers, as proposed in this study. The goal of this study is to test a multicomponent intervention to strengthen communication and longitudinal partnerships among women with breast cancer and their family members. Recent work by the study team has demonstrated the feasibility, acceptability, and benefit of intervention components which will be combined into a single model of care. The study team's preliminary studies indicate that clarifying patient and family expectations regarding the role of family and providing family with timely and comprehensive information about patient health (as desired by the patient) leads to more effective family involvement, more frequent patient-family-provider interactions, more patient-centered communication, and greater preparedness to manage care. This study will evaluate the feasibility of delivering a multicomponent communication intervention in the outpatient setting comprising: 1.) a patient-family agenda-setting checklist completed immediately before a regularly scheduled medical oncology visit with a participating medical oncologist, 2.) facilitated registration for the patient portal (for patient and family member, as desired by the patient), and 3.) education (as relevant) on access to doctor's electronic visit notes. The study will focus on patients who typically attend medical oncology visits with a family member or trusted friend who are already present and involved in communication. This study will enroll up to 132 patients who are on active treatment for breast cancer, up to 132 family member/friend companions and up to 14 medical oncology providers. The study team will compare patients and companions who are in the intervention group (n=60 dyads) with patients and companions who are in the control group and receive usual medical oncology care (n=60 dyads). This study will compare quality of communication with medical oncology providers, understanding of patient's cancer, confidence in managing patient's care, satisfaction with cancer care, and symptoms of anxiety after 3 months, 9 months, and 12 months of follow-up.

Interventions

OTHERChecklist, MyChart, OpenNotes

1\) Patient-family agenda-setting checklist, 2) Facilitated proxy registration for MyChart, and 3) Education on access to doctor's electronic visit notes.

OTHERUsual Care

Routine medical oncology care

Sponsors

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
CollaboratorOTHER
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
Masking
DOUBLE (Caregiver, Investigator)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Medical oncology patient: Established patient of participating medical oncologist greater than 18 years of age, have a diagnosis of early stage or advanced breast cancer, are receiving active systemic therapy (in the form of IV adjuvant systemic therapy if early stage), are English speaking, able to provide informed consent themselves, and identify a family member who they would like to include in their care. 2. Care partner: Family member (e.g. spouse, adult child, parent, adult sibling or other relative) or unpaid friend who regularly accompanies patient to medical oncology visits. 3. Medical oncology provider: Practicing medical oncology provider at a participating clinic who provides care to patients with breast cancer.

Exclusion criteria

1. Medical oncology patients: Younger than 18 years, pregnant, not being treated for breast cancer, do not attend medical oncology visits with family member or unpaid friend or unwilling for their family member or unpaid friend to be contacted. 2. Care partner: Paid non-family member who accompanies patient to visits.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Between-group Differences in Care Partner Anxiety at 9-months9 monthsOutcome was measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item questionnaire (GAD-2), a well-established 2-item instrument that asks about symptoms of anxiety in a two-week recall period from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). Full range is 0-6 with higher scores indicating more anxiety. Symptoms of anxiety refer to a cutpoint of 3+ on the GAD-2.
Between-group Differences in Care Partner Complete Illness Understanding at 9-months9 monthsIllness understanding was measured by 4 questions regarding knowledge that is considered to be essential to making informed treatment decisions in serious illness, including: 1.) understanding of illness, 2.) knowledge of disease status, 3.) awareness of disease state, and 4.) expectation of duration of life. We summed responses to each item (coded 1 or 0 to reflect the presence or absence of understanding), yielding a score ranging from 0 to 4. Participants with perfect scores reflecting complete illness understanding (4 of 4 correct responses) were compared to all others.
Between-group Differences in Care Partner Satisfaction With Cancer Care at 9-months9 monthsOutcome was measured with the short-form 10-item version of the FAMCARE (Family Satisfaction with Cancer Care) questionnaire, a validated multi-item instrument that was developed to assess family perspective on cancer care. Respondents are asked to rate 10 items that relate to emotional support, personalization of care, support of decision-making, accessibility, and coordination. Response categories include very satisfied (2 points), satisfied (1 point), or not satisfied (0 points), and the 10-items may be summed to yield a total score (range: 0 to 20) with higher scores reflecting greater satisfaction.
Between-group Differences in Patient Complete Illness Understanding at 9-months9 monthsIllness understanding was measured by 4 questions regarding knowledge that is considered to be essential to making informed treatment decisions in serious illness, including: 1.) understanding of illness, 2.) knowledge of disease status, 3.) awareness of disease state, and 4.) expectation of duration of life. We summed responses to each item (coded 1 or 0 to reflect the presence or absence of understanding), yielding a score ranging from 0 to 4. Participants with perfect scores reflecting complete illness understanding (4 of 4 correct responses) were compared to all others.
Between-group Differences in Mean Patient Satisfaction With Cancer Care at 9-months9 monthsOutcome was measured with the short-form 10-item version of the Family Satisfaction with Cancer Care (FAMCARE) questionnaire, a validated multi-item instrument that was developed to assess family perspective on cancer care. Respondents are asked to rate 10 items that relate to emotional support, personalization of care, support of decision-making, accessibility, and coordination. Response categories include very satisfied (2 points), satisfied (1 point), or not satisfied (0 points), and the 10-items may be summed to yield a total score (range: 0 to 20) with higher scores reflecting greater satisfaction.
Between-group Differences in Patient Anxiety at 9-months9 monthsOutcome was measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item questionnaire (GAD-2), a well-established 2-item instrument that asks about symptoms of anxiety in a two-week recall period from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). Full range is 0-6 with higher scores indicating more anxiety. Symptoms of anxiety refer to a cutpoint of 3+ on the GAD-2.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Between-group Differences in Care Partner Quality of Communication at 9-months9 monthsOutcome was measured using the Quality of Communication (QC) Scale, a validated 10-item instrument to assess quality of communication between the participant and the medical oncology team. The scale for each item is from 0 ('Worst you can imagine') to 10 ('Best you can imagine'). Full range is 0-100 with higher scores indicating higher perceived quality of communication.
Between-group Differences in Patient Quality of Communication at 9-months9 monthsOutcome was measured using the Quality of Communication (QC) Scale, a validated 10-item instrument to assess quality of communication between the participant and the medical oncology team. The scale for each item is from 0 ('Worst you can imagine') to 10 ('Best you can imagine'). Full range is 0-100 with higher scores indicating higher perceived quality of communication.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Patients of participating clinicians who were in active treatment for early stage or advanced breast cancer were mailed letters describing the study 3 weeks before their next scheduled visit. Patients who did not opt out by mail were contacted by research staff to discuss study procedures and administer a screening interview.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Multicomponent Intervention
1.) A one-page paper-pencil agenda setting checklist completed immediately before a regularly scheduled medical oncology visit to elicit and align patient and companion perspectives regarding issues to discuss with the provider, and to stimulate discussion about the role of the companion in the visit, 2.) facilitated registration for the patient portal (for patient and family member, as desired by the patient), and 3.) education (as relevant) on access to doctor's electronic visit notes.
69
Usual Care
Care as usual with the medical oncologist.
63
Total132

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Care Partner Participant FlowDiscontinued because patient death511
Care Partner Participant FlowLost to Follow-up11
Care Partner Participant FlowWithdrawal by Subject43
Patient Participant FlowDeath510
Patient Participant FlowLost to Follow-up11
Patient Participant FlowWithdrawal by Subject42

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicMulticomponent InterventionUsual CareTotal
Age, Continuous
Care Partner age
54.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.79
54.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.5
54 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.61
Age, Continuous
Patient age
55.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.4
52.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 14.5
54.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 13.9
Breast Cancer Disease Stage
Early Stage Breast Cancer
35 Participants37 Participants72 Participants
Breast Cancer Disease Stage
Metastatic Breast Cancer
34 Participants26 Participants60 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Care Partner Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino
2 Participants3 Participants5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Care Partner Ethnicity
Not Hispanic or Latino
65 Participants60 Participants125 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Care Partner Ethnicity
Unknown or Not Reported
2 Participants0 Participants2 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Patient Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino
4 Participants3 Participants7 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Patient Ethnicity
Not Hispanic or Latino
64 Participants60 Participants124 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Patient Ethnicity
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Care Partner Race
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Care Partner Race
Asian
1 Participants3 Participants4 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Care Partner Race
Black or African American
11 Participants16 Participants27 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Care Partner Race
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Care Partner Race
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Care Partner Race
Unknown or Not Reported
2 Participants3 Participants5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Care Partner Race
White
55 Participants40 Participants95 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Patient Race
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Patient Race
Asian
1 Participants2 Participants3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Patient Race
Black or African American
12 Participants14 Participants26 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Patient Race
More than one race
1 Participants3 Participants4 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Patient Race
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Patient Race
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Patient Race
White
55 Participants44 Participants99 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
69 Participants63 Participants132 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Care Partner sex
Female
28 Participants18 Participants46 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Care Partner sex
Male
41 Participants45 Participants86 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Patient sex
Female
68 Participants63 Participants131 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Patient sex
Male
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
5 / 6910 / 63
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 690 / 63
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 690 / 63

Outcome results

Primary

Between-group Differences in Care Partner Anxiety at 9-months

Outcome was measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item questionnaire (GAD-2), a well-established 2-item instrument that asks about symptoms of anxiety in a two-week recall period from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). Full range is 0-6 with higher scores indicating more anxiety. Symptoms of anxiety refer to a cutpoint of 3+ on the GAD-2.

Time frame: 9 months

Population: The analysis sample includes the 118 patient-care-partner dyads with complete assessments at 9-months.

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Anxiety at 9-monthsSymptoms of Anxiety at 9-Months8 Participants
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Anxiety at 9-monthsNo Symptoms of Anxiety at 9-Months55 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Anxiety at 9-monthsSymptoms of Anxiety at 9-Months10 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Anxiety at 9-monthsNo Symptoms of Anxiety at 9-Months45 Participants
Comparison: Symptoms of anxiety at 9 months were compared to baseline using logistic regression models estimated with generalized estimating equations (GEE) and an exchangeable correlation specification. Each model included group assignment, time (9 months versus baseline), their interaction, and covariates.p-value: 0.405Regression, Logistic
Primary

Between-group Differences in Care Partner Complete Illness Understanding at 9-months

Illness understanding was measured by 4 questions regarding knowledge that is considered to be essential to making informed treatment decisions in serious illness, including: 1.) understanding of illness, 2.) knowledge of disease status, 3.) awareness of disease state, and 4.) expectation of duration of life. We summed responses to each item (coded 1 or 0 to reflect the presence or absence of understanding), yielding a score ranging from 0 to 4. Participants with perfect scores reflecting complete illness understanding (4 of 4 correct responses) were compared to all others.

Time frame: 9 months

Population: The analysis sample includes the 118 patient-care-partner dyads with complete assessments at 9-months.

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Complete Illness Understanding at 9-monthsComplete Illness Understanding at 9-Months44 Participants
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Complete Illness Understanding at 9-monthsNot Complete Illness Understanding at 9-Months19 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Complete Illness Understanding at 9-monthsComplete Illness Understanding at 9-Months39 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Complete Illness Understanding at 9-monthsNot Complete Illness Understanding at 9-Months16 Participants
Comparison: Complete illness understanding at 9 months was compared to baseline using logistic regression models estimated with generalized estimating equations (GEE) and an exchangeable correlation specification. Each model included group assignment, time (9 months versus baseline), their interaction, and covariates.p-value: 0.532Regression, Logistic
Primary

Between-group Differences in Care Partner Satisfaction With Cancer Care at 9-months

Outcome was measured with the short-form 10-item version of the FAMCARE (Family Satisfaction with Cancer Care) questionnaire, a validated multi-item instrument that was developed to assess family perspective on cancer care. Respondents are asked to rate 10 items that relate to emotional support, personalization of care, support of decision-making, accessibility, and coordination. Response categories include very satisfied (2 points), satisfied (1 point), or not satisfied (0 points), and the 10-items may be summed to yield a total score (range: 0 to 20) with higher scores reflecting greater satisfaction.

Time frame: 9 months

Population: The analysis sample includes the 118 patient-care-partner dyads with complete assessments at 9-months.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Satisfaction With Cancer Care at 9-months15.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 4.4
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Satisfaction With Cancer Care at 9-months15.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.5
Comparison: Satisfaction with cancer care at 9 months was compared to baseline using linear regression models with the difference in the score as the outcome and a term for group assignment as the main independent variable.p-value: 0.108Regression, Linear
Primary

Between-group Differences in Mean Patient Satisfaction With Cancer Care at 9-months

Outcome was measured with the short-form 10-item version of the Family Satisfaction with Cancer Care (FAMCARE) questionnaire, a validated multi-item instrument that was developed to assess family perspective on cancer care. Respondents are asked to rate 10 items that relate to emotional support, personalization of care, support of decision-making, accessibility, and coordination. Response categories include very satisfied (2 points), satisfied (1 point), or not satisfied (0 points), and the 10-items may be summed to yield a total score (range: 0 to 20) with higher scores reflecting greater satisfaction.

Time frame: 9 months

Population: The analysis sample includes the 118 patient-care-partner dyads with complete assessments at 9-months.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Mean Patient Satisfaction With Cancer Care at 9-months16.9 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.9
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Mean Patient Satisfaction With Cancer Care at 9-months15.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.4
Comparison: Satisfaction with cancer care at 9 months was compared to baseline using linear regression models with the difference in the score as the outcome and a term for group assignment as the main independent variable.p-value: 0.555Regression, Linear
Primary

Between-group Differences in Patient Anxiety at 9-months

Outcome was measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 2-item questionnaire (GAD-2), a well-established 2-item instrument that asks about symptoms of anxiety in a two-week recall period from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day). Full range is 0-6 with higher scores indicating more anxiety. Symptoms of anxiety refer to a cutpoint of 3+ on the GAD-2.

Time frame: 9 months

Population: The analysis sample includes the 118 patient-care-partner dyads with complete assessments at 9-months.

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Patient Anxiety at 9-monthsSymptoms of Anxiety at 9-Months7 Participants
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Patient Anxiety at 9-monthsNo Symptoms of Anxiety at 9-Months56 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Patient Anxiety at 9-monthsSymptoms of Anxiety at 9-Months8 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Patient Anxiety at 9-monthsNo Symptoms of Anxiety at 9-Months47 Participants
Comparison: Symptoms of anxiety at 9 months were compared to baseline using logistic regression models estimated with generalized estimating equations (GEE) and an exchangeable correlation specification. Each model included group assignment, time (9 months versus baseline), their interaction, and covariates.p-value: 0.619Regression, Logistic
Primary

Between-group Differences in Patient Complete Illness Understanding at 9-months

Illness understanding was measured by 4 questions regarding knowledge that is considered to be essential to making informed treatment decisions in serious illness, including: 1.) understanding of illness, 2.) knowledge of disease status, 3.) awareness of disease state, and 4.) expectation of duration of life. We summed responses to each item (coded 1 or 0 to reflect the presence or absence of understanding), yielding a score ranging from 0 to 4. Participants with perfect scores reflecting complete illness understanding (4 of 4 correct responses) were compared to all others.

Time frame: 9 months

Population: The analysis sample includes the 118 patient-care-partner dyads with complete assessments at 9-months.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Patient Complete Illness Understanding at 9-monthsComplete Illness Understanding at 9-Months42 Participants
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Patient Complete Illness Understanding at 9-monthsNot Complete Illness Understanding at 9-Months21 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Patient Complete Illness Understanding at 9-monthsComplete Illness Understanding at 9-Months38 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Patient Complete Illness Understanding at 9-monthsNot Complete Illness Understanding at 9-Months17 Participants
Comparison: Complete illness understanding at 9 months was compared to baseline using logistic regression models estimated with generalized estimating equations (GEE) and an exchangeable correlation specification. Each model included group assignment, time (9 months versus baseline), their interaction, and covariates.p-value: 0.264Regression, Logistic
Secondary

Between-group Differences in Care Partner Quality of Communication at 9-months

Outcome was measured using the Quality of Communication (QC) Scale, a validated 10-item instrument to assess quality of communication between the participant and the medical oncology team. The scale for each item is from 0 ('Worst you can imagine') to 10 ('Best you can imagine'). Full range is 0-100 with higher scores indicating higher perceived quality of communication.

Time frame: 9 months

Population: The analysis sample includes the 118 patient-care-partner dyads with complete assessments at 9-months.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Quality of Communication at 9-months90.3 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 10.3
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Quality of Communication at 9-months86.2 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 15.9
Comparison: Quality of communication at 9 months was compared to baseline using linear regression models with the difference in the score as the outcome and a term for group assignment as the main independent variable.p-value: 0.872Regression, Linear
Secondary

Between-group Differences in Patient Quality of Communication at 9-months

Outcome was measured using the Quality of Communication (QC) Scale, a validated 10-item instrument to assess quality of communication between the participant and the medical oncology team. The scale for each item is from 0 ('Worst you can imagine') to 10 ('Best you can imagine'). Full range is 0-100 with higher scores indicating higher perceived quality of communication.

Time frame: 9 months

Population: The analysis sample includes the 118 patient-care-partner dyads with complete assessments at 9-months.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Patient Quality of Communication at 9-months89.8 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 11.6
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Patient Quality of Communication at 9-months88.0 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 18.7
Comparison: Quality of communication at 9 months was compared to baseline using linear regression models with the difference in the score as the outcome and a term for group assignment as the main independent variable.p-value: 0.412Regression, Linear
Post Hoc

Between-group Differences in Care Partner Exchange of Direct Messages in the Patient Portal at 9-months

Patient portal use was assessed from date and time-stamped interactions reflecting the frequency, timing, and type of patient portal interactions. Use of the patient portal refers to interactions between enrollment and up to 40-weeks post-enrollment.

Time frame: 9 months

Population: The analysis sample includes the care partners who logged in to the patient portal at least once during 9 month follow up period.

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Exchange of Direct Messages in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsCare Partner Exchanged a Direct Message by 9-months3 Participants
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Exchange of Direct Messages in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsCare Partner Did Not Exchange a Direct Message by 9-months46 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Exchange of Direct Messages in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsCare Partner Exchanged a Direct Message by 9-months0 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Exchange of Direct Messages in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsCare Partner Did Not Exchange a Direct Message by 9-months1 Participants
p-value: 0.247Fisher Exact
Post Hoc

Between-group Differences in Care Partner Registration for Shared Access to the Patient Portal at 9-months

Care partner registration for shared access to the patient portal was assessed at baseline and nine-months post-enrollment.

Time frame: 9 months

Population: The analysis sample includes the 118 patient-care-partner dyads with complete assessments at 9-months.

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Registration for Shared Access to the Patient Portal at 9-monthsCare Partner Registered by 9 Months49 Participants
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Registration for Shared Access to the Patient Portal at 9-monthsCare Partner Did Not Register by 9 Months14 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Registration for Shared Access to the Patient Portal at 9-monthsCare Partner Registered by 9 Months1 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Registration for Shared Access to the Patient Portal at 9-monthsCare Partner Did Not Register by 9 Months54 Participants
p-value: <0.001Fisher Exact
Post Hoc

Between-group Differences in Care Partner Views of Clinical Visit Notes in the Patient Portal at 9-months

Patient portal use was assessed from date and time-stamped interactions reflecting the frequency, timing, and type of patient portal interactions. Use of the patient portal refers to interactions between enrollment and up to 40-weeks post-enrollment.

Time frame: 9 months

Population: The analysis sample includes the care partners who logged in to the patient portal at least once during 9 month follow up period.

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Views of Clinical Visit Notes in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsCare Partner Viewed a Clinical Visit Note by 9-months30 Participants
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Views of Clinical Visit Notes in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsCare Partner Did Not View a Clinical Visit Note by 9-months19 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Views of Clinical Visit Notes in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsCare Partner Viewed a Clinical Visit Note by 9-months0 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Care Partner Views of Clinical Visit Notes in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsCare Partner Did Not View a Clinical Visit Note by 9-months1 Participants
p-value: <0.001Fisher Exact
Post Hoc

Between-group Differences in Patient Exchange of Direct Messages in the Patient Portal at 9-months

Patient portal use was assessed from date and time-stamped interactions reflecting the frequency, timing, and type of patient portal interactions. Use of the patient portal refers to interactions between enrollment and up to 40-weeks post-enrollment.

Time frame: 9 months

Population: The analysis sample includes the patients who logged in to the patient portal at least once during 9 month follow up period.

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Patient Exchange of Direct Messages in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsPatient Exchanged a Direct Message by 9-months52 Participants
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Patient Exchange of Direct Messages in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsPatient Did Not Exchange a Direct Message by 9-months8 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Patient Exchange of Direct Messages in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsPatient Exchanged a Direct Message by 9-months38 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Patient Exchange of Direct Messages in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsPatient Did Not Exchange a Direct Message by 9-months12 Participants
p-value: 0.128Fisher Exact
Post Hoc

Between-group Differences in Patient Views of Clinical Visit Notes in the Patient Portal at 9-months

Patient portal use was assessed from date and time-stamped interactions reflecting the frequency, timing, and type of patient portal interactions.Use of the patient portal refers to interactions between enrollment and up to 40-weeks post-enrollment.

Time frame: 9 months

Population: The analysis sample includes the patients who used a patient portal feature at least once during 9 month follow up period.

ArmMeasureCategoryValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Patient Views of Clinical Visit Notes in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsPatient Viewed a Clinical Visit Note by 9-months38 Participants
Multicomponent InterventionBetween-group Differences in Patient Views of Clinical Visit Notes in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsPatient Did Not View a Clinical Visit Note by 9-months22 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Patient Views of Clinical Visit Notes in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsPatient Viewed a Clinical Visit Note by 9-months18 Participants
Usual CareBetween-group Differences in Patient Views of Clinical Visit Notes in the Patient Portal at 9-monthsPatient Did Not View a Clinical Visit Note by 9-months32 Participants
p-value: 0.003Fisher Exact

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 2, 2026