The CATCH: In Support of Patient Confidence in Clinical Trials

Mariana Garza Amoros, Patient Navigator at Komen’s Patient Care Center

Mariana is enthusiastic about sharing knowledge acquired to better support, provide access to care, and improve quality of life for patients and their caregivers, families, and friends.

—Fanny Jackson, Susan G. Komen

A CATCH is a navigation success story where a navigation tactic improved a patient’s situation. The CATCH Initiative, short for Catching & Addressing Threats to Care & Health, tracks and acknowledges positive outcomes of navigation tactics.

THE CATCH OF THE MONTH

Background: A female Latina patient newly diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) fearful and unsure of clinical trial availability for her breast cancer diagnosis is seeking education and support from a bilingual patient navigator.

The Incident: Mariana, from a bilingual oncology patient navigator, supported the 47-year-old patient, who had stage II triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma with lymph node involvement and was scheduled to have her first consultation with the medical oncologist within a few days. The patient contacted Komen’s Patient Care Center and requested assistance with understanding her diagnosis, treatment options, insurance optimization, and financial assistance programs that could help support treatment costs while working reduced hours. The time between diagnosis and start of treatment for breast cancer is the optimal time to provide education and information on treatment options, including clinical trials. Considering these barriers, Mariana’s engagement with the patient provided an opportunity to educate about the diagnosis, treatment options, and clinical trials, enabling her to be a part of the shared decision-making process with her provider.

The CATCH (Intervention): Mariana provided education, including the benefits of clinical trial participation; identified fears and dispelled myths about clinical trials; and helped formulate questions to ask the provider. During the first consultation with the oncologist, the patient was presented with the option to participate in a phase 3 clinical trial specific to TNBC showing promising results. Due to the recent connection with the navigator and the education on clinical trials, the patient was more knowledgeable and receptive to participating. On follow-up, the patient informed the navigator that a clinical trial was presented as a treatment option during her first visit with the oncologist and that she was agreeable to enroll. Mariana’s swift efforts to provide education on clinical trials as a treatment option ensured access to the best treatment options available, including emerging new treatments, while ensuring representation from diverse populations in clinical trials.

Outcome: The timely navigation efforts resulted in the patient being successfully enrolled in the phase 3 study. The trial will involve the patient receiving an infusion every 21 days, and all expenses connected with the trial will be covered by the trial sponsor. The patient reports being excited about her participation in the clinical trial and that she is responding well to treatment, including results showing a significant decrease in tumor size and tolerable side effects.

The Importance of the CATCH

While patients’ awareness regarding clinical trials has continued to increase over time, there remains hesitancy to enrollment due to misunderstandings and a lack of knowledge. This CATCH shows the importance of patient navigation starting at the time of diagnosis and setting patient expectations up front regarding clinical trials and their potential role in a patient’s cancer journey. This navigator was able to establish a trusting relationship with this patient at the ideal time and equip her with clinical trial awareness and education. This ultimately aided the patient in making an informed decision that altered her treatment trajectory leading to patient satisfaction with her care.

Source

1. Bellomo C, Christensen D, Strusowski T. Seasoned navigator: a case study on patient advocacy/patient empowerment. Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship. 2016;7(8):31-32.

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