Enhancing Adherence and Knowledge of Erlotinib in Patients Wtih Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Research has found that patients sometimes have trouble obtaining oral (by mouth) cancer medications, understanding how to take these pills, handling side effects related to these drugs, and remembering to take these medications. The purpose of this research study is to have direct care nurses (DCNs) in the Thoracic Oncology Program (TOP) clinic provide teaching and follow-up to patients starting erlotinib (using a teaching tool) and to test the feasibility of providing education and follow-up. This study will also evaluate if increasing knowledge about erlotinib helps participants manage side effects and stay on their erlotinib without interruptions.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Lung Cancer Lung Diseases Lung Neoplasms Neoplasms Neoplasms by Site Respiratory Tract Diseases Respiratory Tract Neoplasms Thoracic Neoplasms

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

Participants with non-small cell lung cancer will be asked to join this study after they have decided with their health care provider to start treatment with erlotinib (a pill).
Educational Session 1 (Day that erlotinib is prescribed): During this clinic visit the physician or nurse practitioner will provide the participant with the DFCI Erlotinib Fact Sheet that reviews how to take the oral cancer medication and possible side effects to watch for. The TOP nurse will discuss the study and consent the participant. The TOP nurse will also provide participants with an Erlotinib Drug Log and instruct them on how use it to keep track of taking the erlotinib.
Educational Session 2 (Within 72 hours of starting erlotinib): During this educational session, participants will talk with the TOP nurse by phone or in the clinic. The TOP nurse will use an oral cancer medication teaching tool (MOATT - Parts 1-4) to provide additional education about erlotinib. The MOATT tool was developed by the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer. This session will take about 20-30 minutes. Feasibility information will also be recorded by the nurse.
Educational Session 3 (Phone follow-up 72 hours after Session 2): During this phone session, the TOP nurse will administer Parts 3-4 of the MOATT and discuss any side effects the participant is experiencing. This session will take 15-30 minutes. Feasibility information will also be documented.
Educational Session 4 (First clinic visit after starting on Erlotinib): The TOP nurse will meet with the participant during their first DFCI clinic visit (with their physician or nurse practitioner), after starting erlotinib. During this session the participant will complete the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale 8-Item (MMAS-8), a Knowledge Rating Scale, and a demographic form. Parts 3-4 of the MOATT will also be administered, the Erlotinib Drug Log will be collected, and side effects will be discussed/recorded. This meeting will add 30-40 minutes to the clinic visit.
After the participant completes Educational Session 4, their participation in the study will end.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

18 years of age or older
Non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis
Patient/provider decision to start erlotinib monotherapy
No prior treatment with erlotinib
Willingness to follow the protocol visit schedule
Ability to understand and converse in English
No major physical or psychological limitation that would interfere with study participation
Not participating in other studies involving nurse/patient interactions

Treatment and study plan

Nursing Educational Intervention

Other

Four educational sessions with the direct care nurse (DCN)

Primary outcomes

Feasibility of a DCN educational intervention to enhance participant knowledge

Time frame: 1 year

To test the feasibility of direct care nurse (DCN) educational intervention to enhance participant knowledge of erlotinib and improve patient-reported adherence with regard to: 1) enrollment and retention rates, 2) DCN availability, 3) Completion of educational sessions and 4) Resources used or required for each session

Secondary outcomes

Describe the knowledge of and adherence to erlotinib as an oral anticancer agent

Time frame: 1 year

To describe the knowledge of (by MOATT) and adherence to (by MMAS 8-item) erlotinib as an oral anticancer agent in thoracic oncology patients.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Enhancing Adherence and Knowledge of Erlotinib in Patients Wtih Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Feasibility Pilot Study

Important dates

Study start: 2010
Primary completion: 2012
Study completion: 2012
First posted: Jun 22, 2011
Registry last updated: Jun 26, 2012

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed