Effect of a Lay Health Worker Intervention on Goals-of-Care Documentation and on Health Care Use, Costs, and Satisfaction Among Patients With Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Although lay health workers (LHWs) improve cancer screening and treatment adherence, evidence on whether they can enhance other aspects of care is limited.

Objective

To determine whether an LHW program can increase documentation of patients' care preferences after cancer diagnosis.

Design, setting, and participants

Randomized clinical trial conducted from August 13, 2013, through February 2, 2015, among 213 patients with stage 3 or 4 or recurrent cancer at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System. Data analysis was by intention to treat and performed from January 15 to August 18, 2017.

Interventions

Six-month program with an LHW trained to assist patients with establishing end-of-life care preferences vs usual care.

Main outcomes and meas

SUBMITTER: Patel MI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6233780 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature