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Decision Support Training for Family Caregivers of Patients with Advanced Cancer, CASCADE Factorial Study

Trial Status: active

This phase II trial evaluates decision support training for family caregivers of patients with cancer that may have spread from where it first started to nearby tissue, lymph nodes, or distant parts of the body (advanced). Over 70% of patients with cancer involve relatives, friends, and partners in healthcare decisions, including choices about cancer treatments, surgery, transitions and location of care, accessing palliative and hospice care, and many others. Patients making healthcare decisions with unprepared family caregivers may experience inadequate family decision support leading to increased distress and receipt of care/treatments that don't align with their values and preferences. This in turn may increase distress for family caregivers. Hence, there is a critical need to train cancer family caregivers to effectively support patient decision-making. The Care Supporters Coached to be Adept Decision partners (CASCADE) program was developed to help family members provide the best decision support possible to the relatives they care for. Providing additional supportive care services for family members and close friends who support someone with cancer, may improve family and patient outcomes.