Bridge: Proactive Psychiatry Consultation and Case Management for Patients With Cancer
Cancer, Severe Major Depression, Schizophrenia
About this trial
This is an interventional supportive care trial for Cancer focused on measuring Cancer Care, Major Depression and Cancer, Schizophrenia and Cancer, Bipolar Disorder and Cancer, Lung Cancer, Breast Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer, Gastrointestinal Cancer, Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression
Eligibility Criteria
Patient Inclusion Criteria:
- Age ≥ 18 years old; Value ______
- Verbal fluency in English
- Serious mental illness (Schizophrenia spectrum disorder, bipolar disorder, or major depressive disorder with prior psychiatric hospitalization) confirmed by study clinician at consent
- Invasive breast, lung, gastrointestinal, or head and neck cancer (suspected or confirmed Stage I-III, or Stage IV cancer that can be treated with curative intent according to judgment by the oncologist.)
- Medical, surgical, or radiation oncology consultation at MGH Cancer Center within the past 8 weeks or a referral placed to the MGH Cancer Center and planned or recommended follow-up
Patient Exclusion Criteria:
- Have cognitive impairment severe enough to interfere with completing brief study assessments or providing informed consent (and does not have a guardian who can provide consent)
- Recurrence of the same cancer type
Caregiver Participants
- Age ≥ 18 years old; Value ______
- Verbal fluency in English
- Identified or confirmed by the patient or guardian as a caregiver
- Caregiver may be a relative, friend, or community mental health staff upon whom the patient relies upon for support and who accompanies the patient to medical appointments
- The caregiver should either live with the patient or have in-person contact with the patient once per week (on average)
- Patient or guardian must provide permission to contact caregiver
Sites / Locations
- Massachusetts General Hospital
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Experimental
Experimental
Active Comparator
Proactive Psychiatry Consultation (PPC) - PILOT
Proactive Psychiatry Consultation (PPC) - Randomized Trial
Enhanced Usual Care (EUC) - Randomized Trial
Proactive Psychiatry Consultation and Case Management is: Patient-centered: Based on the patient's needs, the team aims to build a relationship, increase engagement, and promote continuity. Team-based: A psychiatrist and case manager identify goals for cancer treatment, assess psychiatric history and symptoms with a focus on impact on cancer care, collaborate with community-based clinicians and caregivers, and address barriers to care. Integrated into cancer care delivery: The psychiatry and oncology teams collaborate starting at cancer diagnosis to support patient through cancer treatment. Systematic: The team monitors psychiatric and cancer-related symptoms and cancer care delivery to measure progress toward goals and rapidly adjust treatment as needed.
Proactive Psychiatry Consultation and Case Management is: Patient-centered: Based on the patient's needs, the team aims to build a relationship, increase engagement, and promote continuity. Team-based: A psychiatrist and case manager identify goals for cancer treatment, assess psychiatric history and symptoms with a focus on impact on cancer care, collaborate with community-based clinicians and caregivers, and address barriers to care. Integrated into cancer care delivery: The psychiatry and oncology teams collaborate starting at cancer diagnosis to support patient through cancer treatment. Systematic: The team monitors psychiatric and cancer-related symptoms and cancer care delivery to measure progress toward goals and rapidly adjust treatment as needed.
Study staff will send a templated email to the treating oncologist at enrollment informing the oncologists of the psychiatric diagnosis and available psychosocial services. Study staff will also inform the patient and caregiver of available psychosocial services.