Spots Global Cancer Trial Database for Telemedicine vs. Face-to-Face Cancer Genetic Counseling

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Trial Identification

Brief Title: Telemedicine vs. Face-to-Face Cancer Genetic Counseling

Official Title: Telemedicine vs. Face-to-Face Cancer Genetic Counseling in Rural Oncology Clinics

Study ID: NCT00609505

Conditions

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome

Lynch Syndrome

Interventions

Telemedicine

Face-to-Face

Study Description

Brief Summary: Cancer genetic counseling (CGC) has been found to have "substantial" benefits for individuals with breast cancer and their family members; it has been deemed by multiple organizations as "standard of care" for women with breast cancer and their relatives. Unfortunately, there is a disparity in access to CGC, especially among women who live in rural and underserved areas. In North Carolina, only two cancer genetic counselors practice in rural clinics - each only for a few days per month. Therefore, in an effort to make CGC more widely available in a timely manner, we propose to test provision of counseling through telemedicine (TM), in which a patient and health care provider communicate with each other using videoconferencing. In 4 rural oncology clinics, we will implement low-cost TM and compare satisfaction and cost-effectiveness between groups of women designated to have their CGC session by TM or FTF. We'll use a validated measure to assess satisfaction by a phone survey one week after the CGC appointment; cost-effectiveness will be measured at project's end by calculating length of wait time for appointment and costs of equipment, labor, and mileage. Study hypothesis: TM is as satisfactory as FTF counseling and is a more cost-effective way to provide this beneficial service.

Detailed Description: