An interventional study of TrialTalk™ in Cancer, sponsored by University of Wisconsin, Madison. Recruiting at 3 sites in United States. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-15.
Sponsored by University of Wisconsin, Madison · Not applicable, Interventional, and Health services research
This clinical trial seeks to understand patients' experiences with the healthcare team and the quality of communication between patients and doctors in cancer clinics. The main question it aims to answer is:
Participants will complete questionnaires before and after their standard of care clinic visit.
The online TrialTalk™ training system uses evidence-based principles and best practices for instructional design for adult learners. The system uses a four-stage learning goal framework (i.e., knowledge, skill, understanding, and application) to ensure that the training moves from rote knowledge- and skill acquisition to integration, application, ownership, and long-term memory in clinical practice. The first module introduces the TrialTalk™ framework, why it's relevant and effective to patients and providers and describes the learning goals for the rest of the course. The second module focuses on essential elements of the TrialTalk™ conversation process through examples, metaphors, and description, followed by exercises at the end of the module that solidify the basic concepts of the conversational process. The third module focuses on the essential components of the diagram, how it integrates with the conversational process, and how to use it in a patient meeting. A set of assessment and reflection questions at the end of module 3 reinforces the concepts and components of the diagram. The fourth module brings all the TrialTalk™ elements together through case studies that exemplify how the conversational process and diagram work together in different types of patient meetings (for example, a new patient versus an established patient). Assessment and reflection questions at the end of module 4 focus on integrating and using the TrialTalk™ method in practice. Learners also develop a three-day action plan to begin to use TrialTalk™ with their patients. The TrialTalk™ training system provides learning resources to physicians such as a self-assessment rubric, FAQs, a checklist, and diagram template.
TrialTalk™ intervention includes two components: provider-focused skills-based training to ensure providers' competency in using the conversational and diagrammatic aspects of TrialTalk™, and the patient-facing component, which is the TrialTalk™ tool itself, to help patients understand their prognosis and treatment options in order to make a shared informed decision about their cancer management.
10,818 studies on the registry are indexed under Neoplasms; 2,324 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 135 is above the median of 60 across 7,703 interventional studies indexed under Neoplasms.
Browse Neoplasms studies →University of Wisconsin, Madison is the lead sponsor of 1,188 studies on the registry; 181 are open to participants now.
Of its 157 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 118 (75%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Inclusion Criteria - Providers:
Inclusion Criteria - Patients:
Exclusion Criteria - Providers:
Exclusion Criteria - Patients:
- have moderate to severe cognitive impairment as determined by participant's provider
Cancer providers who have received TrialTalk™ training.
Other: TrialTalk™
Patients who are treated by a cancer provider who has received TrialTalk™ training.
Other: TrialTalk™
TrialTalk™ is a communication tool that focuses on making the options visible and accessible while involving patients in the discussion.
Fidelity - Providers
Fidelity to the tool by providers is measured by a 9 item qualitative questionnaire, asking how many times and how providers used TrialTalk™ when talking with their patients.
Time frame: Monthly for 6 months
Sustainability of TrialTalk™ communication tool
Providers will answer a 3 item questionnaire regarding their use of TrialTalk™. Items are scored on a 5 point Likert scale, where 1 = not at all and 5 = very much. Higher scores indicate better sustainability of the tool.
Time frame: 1 year
Change in quality of communication
Patient participants will rate the quality of communication they receive from their provider. They will answer a 13 item questionnaire with a 6-point Likert scale, where 0= not done and 5 = excellent. Scores range from 0-65, with higher scores indicating better communication.
Time frame: Up to 2 hours
Change in trust of provider
Patient participants will rate how much they trust their provider using a 6 item questionnaire. Scores are on a 5-point Likert scale, where 1 = not at all and 5 = extremely. Scores range from 6-30, with higher scores indicating greater trust.
Time frame: Up to 2 hours
Usefulness of tool
Patient participants will complete a 7 item questionnaire about the visual diagram created with their provider. It is scored on a 5-point Likert scale, where 1 = not at all and 5 = extremely. Scores range from 7-35, with higher scores indicating greater usefulness.
Time frame: Up to 2 hours
Understanding of treatment options
Patient participants will answer 9 yes or no questions regarding how well they understood the options presented to them during the visit.
Time frame: Up to 2 hours
Eligibility is decided by the study team. Share this record with your doctor or contact the team directly.
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