Association of a Lay Health Worker–Led Intervention on Goals of Care, Quality of Life, and Clinical Trial Participation Among Low-Income and Minority Adults With Cancer

Abstract

PURPOSE: New approaches are needed to overcome low supportive care and clinical trial participation among low-income and minority adults with cancer. The objective of this project was to determine whether a lay health worker intervention was associated with improvements in supportive care and trial participation. METHODS: We conducted a quality improvement initiative in collaboration with a union organization. We enrolled union members newly diagnosed with cancer into a 6-month lay health worker–led intervention from October 15, 2016, to February 28, 2017. The primary outcome was goals of care. Secondary outcomes were health-related quality of life (HRQOL), health care use, and trial participation. All outcomes except HRQOL were compared with a cohort of union members diagnosed within the 6-month preintervention period. RESULTS: Sixty-six adults participated in the intervention group, and we identified 72 adults in the control group. Demographic characteristics were similar between groups. The mean age was 56.0 years; 47 (34%) were male, and 22 were White (16%). Within 6 months enrollment, more intervention group participants, as compared with the control, had clinician-documented goals of care (94% v 26%; P < .001) and participated in cancer clinical trials (72% v 22%; P < .001). At 4 months postenrollment, as compared with baseline, intervention participants experienced HRQOL improvements (mean difference, 3.98 points; standard deviation, 2.83; P < .001). Before death, more intervention group participants used palliative care and hospice than the control group. CONCLUSION: Lay health worker–led interventions may improve supportive care and clinical trial participation among low-income and minority populations with cancer.