Grant Number:	1R01CA311090-01 Interpret this number
Primary Investigator:	Rosser, B R Simon
Organization:	University Of Minnesota
Project Title:	Addressing Patient-Clinician Communication to Improve Treatment Outcomes for Prostate Cancer Patients
Fiscal Year:	2026

Abstract: In PAR-25-167, NCI invites trials that “have the potential to reduce the burden of cancer through … healthcare delivery, quality of life, survivorship [and] should also have the potential to improve clinical practice.” Our preliminary studies demonstrated that oncology specialists lack sufficient training in patient-centered care for some populations with elevated risk for prostate cancer. Clinicians in our preliminary studies explicitly stated that they did not receive adequate training and requested additional training in patient-centered care of these groups. About half of participants in our two studies reported receiving suboptimal care while undergoing treatment, and they had specific questions that went unaddressed by clinicians during treatment which, if addressed, would have improved their health outcomes. The long-term objective of this research is to improve health outcomes in prostate cancer patient groups by improving patient-clinician communication. There are three specific aims. In Aim 1 (ORBIT Phase Ia), we will identify patient-clinician communication preferences of prostate cancer patients who report suboptimal treatment. We will conduct narrative and phenomenological interviews with patients who, during or following treatment, (1) acquired sexually transmitted infections, (2) experienced pain in sex following treatment, and/or (3) lost aspects of their sexual identity (n=15-20 per group; N=45-60 total). We will use this information to tailor clinical care for these patients. In Aim 2 (ORBIT Phase Ib), we will develop an online, interactive, self-guided curriculum to train oncology residents and fellows in patient- centered care of these patients. We will operationalize the standards of care into skills-building activities, how to handle disclosure, and interventions to help these patients accommodate the effects of prostate cancer treatment. Finally, in Aim 3, we will pilot the training at three residency/fellowship sites (urology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology) in a stratified, single blind, ORBIT Phase IIa randomized controlled trial (n=50 per arm; N=100 total).





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