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Acceptability and Feasibility of PSC Model of Serious Illness Communication
Sponsor: National Cancer Centre, Singapore
Summary
This prospective, single-arm pilot study evaluates the feasibility and acceptability of a novel Patient Support Coordinator (PSC) model for women with advanced or high-risk breast cancer in an outpatient oncology setting. The PSC model is designed to address gaps in serious illness communication by embedding a trained, non-clinical coordinator into routine care pathways to provide longitudinal psychosocial support and facilitate values-based discussions. The primary hypothesis posits that the PSC intervention will be perceived as acceptable by participants, defined by a population median score of ≥12 out of 16 on both the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-4) and the Feeling Heard and Understood (FHU) scale. Additionally, the study assesses feasibility through metrics such as enrollment and retention rates, as well as the successful integration of PSC-documented patient priorities into clinical workflows. By using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the study aims to generate a complete view of how this lay-led model complements existing supportive care infrastructure at the National Cancer Centre Singapore.
Official title: Pilot Study to Evaluate the Acceptability, Feasibility, and Potential Effectiveness of a Patient Support Coordinator (PSC)-Facilitated Model of Serious Illness Communication
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
21 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
28
Start Date
2025-08-25
Completion Date
2026-03-30
Last Updated
2026-02-24
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
PSC-facilitated supportive listening
The intervention is a longitudinal, non-clinical supportive care model delivered over a three-month period. The intervention is designed to provide a dedicated space for supportive listening and biographical reflection that complements routine medical consultations. Each session begins with a standardised distress screening using the Distress Thermometer and Problem List (DTPL) to systematically identify participant concerns and provide basic symptom management or lifestyle improvement advice. This is followed by facilitated self-expression sessions focused on emotional grounding and/or collaborative goal-setting, allowing participants to explore and articulate their values at their own pace. Questions relating to goals of care may be explored opportunistically and spontaneously during these sessions, with key insights documented and communicated to the treating oncologist to ensure care alignment and strengthen patient-clinician communication.
Locations (1)
National Cancer Centre Singapore
Singapore, Singapore