Improving Goals of Care Conversations Between Doctors and Young Adults With Cancer

Recruiting

Adaptation of an Evidence-based Goals of Care Communication Intervention for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Patients (AYAC)

Who can join

Ages 18 to 39 · All sexes

Full eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Patient (All Aims)

* Between ages 18-39;
* Has a diagnosis of Stage III or IV cancer as per clinician note in the EMR;
* Attended at least one, but no more than three, appointments with their oncologist as per EMR or self-report;
* English as their primary language in the EMR;
* Can independently consent to study procedures without a surrogate or legally authorized representative;
* MSK treating oncologist answers "no" to the question, "Would you be surprised if this patient died within the next year?"
* AIMS 2 \& 3 ONLY: Did not participate in previous aims Clinician (All Aims)
* are 18 or older;
* are an MSK oncologist who sees AYAC patients
* AIMS 2 \& 3 ONLY: Did not participate in previous aims

Exclusion Criteria:

* Clinician (Aims 1 \& 2): none
* Patient (Aim 3 ONLY)
* if a GOCC has previously been documented in the EMR

About the study

The purpose of this study is to adapt a goals of care communication tool, called Jumpstart, for adolescent and young adult cancer patients (also called AYAC). Goals of care conversations are discussions between patients and their doctors about the patient's wishes, values, and priorities for their care. The Jumpstart tool was created for adult patients to help start these conversations during doctor's appointments. This study will adapt the tool so that it works better for adolescent and young adult patients with cancer. We will also look at whether the tool is practical and useful for AYAC and for medical doctors who see or treat AYAC patients.

What is being tested

Jumpstart GOCC intervention (other)

Sponsor: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · Participants: 118 · Started: Sep 25, 2026

Contact the study team

Meghan McDarby, MD · Phone: 646-888-0027
Patricia Parker, PhD · Phone: 646-888-0210

Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07855484

Locations in the U.S.

New Jersey	Memorial Sloan Kettering at Basking Ridge (All protocol activities), Basking Ridge Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth (All Protocol Activities), Middletown Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen (All Protocol Activities), Montvale
New York	Memorial Sloan Kettering Suffolk - Commack (All Protocol Activities), Commack Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester (All Protocol Activities), Harrison Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau (All Protocol Activities), Uniondale

Conditions

Cancer (all types)

From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Oct 3, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.