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Effects of a Hospitality Initiative on Referral Patterns for Native American Cancer Patients in Maricopa County

Overview

About this study

The purpose of this study is to interview patients and providers at Phoenix Indian Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Arizona to identify perceptions, experiences, and perceived factors influencing referrals and enrollment on clinical trials in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Mayo Clinic Arizona.

The overall goal of this line of research is to enhance the hospitality, cultural responsiveness, and efficiency with which a leading cancer center can collaborate with a neighboring treatment hub for an important, underserved population within that cancer center’s catchment area.

American Indian and Alaska Native people experience higher rates of cancer due to a variety of environmental, epigenetic, nutritional, and metabolic as well as socio-economic factors including limited access to and completion of state-of-the art therapies. AI/AN patients present with cancer at more advanced stages and have the worst 5 year cancer specific survival of all racial groups in the United States.1 Factors explaining this lower cancer survival remain elusive. Preliminary research has shown that Native Americans are at greater than 50% lower odds of receiving adjuvant therapy in primary cancers such as breast cancer and colon cancer.2[PSHM1] 

Despite all the pieces of a strong referral relationship with medical oncology and the significant opportunity offered by myriad trial protocols, there is a lack of consistent referral for second opinions and treatment for radiation therapy between Mayo Clinic and PIMC for patients, particularly those with breast and GI malignancies.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria - Patients:

  • American Indian/Alaska Native.
  • Adult 18 years or older.
  • Speak English.
  • Histologic diagnosis of malignancy.
  • Recommended by primary oncologist to receive radiation therapy.
  • Willing to participate in a semistructured interview.
  • Willing to be audio recorded, for analysis purposes.

Inclusion Criteria - Staff:

  • Adult 18 years or older.
  • Speak English.
  • Actively employed by PIMC and works in the medical oncology department, with emphasis on providers and scheduling staff.
  • Actively employed by the Department of Radiation Oncology at Mayo Clinic Arizona, with emphasis on providers, schedulers, and intake coordinators.

Exclusion Criteria - Patients:

  • Individuals < 18 years of age.
  • Not of American Indian/Alaska Native ancestry.
  • Non-English speaking.
  • Not diagnosed with maignancy.

Exclusion Criteria - Staff:

  • Individuals < 18 years of age.
  • Non-English speaking.
  • Not actively employed by PIMC or Mayo Clinic/Arizona.

Eligibility last updated 10/28/21. Questions regarding updates should be directed to the study team contact.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status Contact

Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Jon Tilburt, M.D.

Closed-enrolling by invitation

What is this? (?)
"Close"
Not open to everyone who meets the eligibility criteria, but only those invited to participate by the study team.

Contact information:

Karla Shields Morales

(480) 342-6775

ShieldsMorales.Karla@mayo.edu

More information

Publications

Publications are currently not available

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CLS-20530949

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