A Cluster Randomized Trial of a Primary Palliative Care Intervention (CONNECT) for Patients with Advanced Cancer

Dr. Schenker and her team are currently analyzing data from this cluster randomized trial of an oncology nurse-led primary palliative care intervention, which enrolled 672 patients with advanced solid-tumor cancers and their 441 caregivers across 17 UPMC community oncology practices.

(Funding Source: NIH/NCI Grant R01CA197103)

Project-related publications

Effect of an Oncology Nurse–Led Primary Palliative Care Intervention on Patients With Advanced Cancer: The CONNECT Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial

A cluster randomized trial of a primary palliative care intervention (CONNECT) for patients with advanced cancer: Protocol and key design considerations

Interventionist training and intervention fidelity monitoring and maintenance for CONNECT, a nurse-led primary palliative care in oncology trial.

Nurses’ perspectives on the personal and professional impact of providing nurse-led primary palliative care in outpatient oncology settings.

Is Advance Care Planning Associated with Decreased Hope in Cancer

Relationships between patient worry about dying and illness understanding, advance care planning, and treatment preferences

Poor patient health is associated with higher caregiver burden for older adults with advanced cancer

The Association Between Area Deprivation Index and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients with Advanced Cancer

Stronger therapeutic alliance is associated with better quality of life among patients with advanced cancer