Clinical Research Directory

Symptoms Burden in Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Definitive Chemoradiotherapy: Insights From Electronic Patient-Reported Outcomes

This prospective observational study aims to evaluate symptom burden and symptom clusters among lung cancer patients undergoing definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT), based on electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs). Patients will complete the validated MDASI-LC and EQ-5D instruments weekly from baseline through the end of CRT and for 12 weeks post-treatment. The study will characterize the longitudinal trajectories of symptom severity and interference, identify distinct symptom clusters and their temporal patterns, and explore patient-level predictors of symptom burden. The findings may support the development of personalized symptom management strategies and improve quality of life during and after CRT.

SMC Radiation Oncology SABR Cohort for Oligometastasis

The goal of this observational study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SABR) in patients with oligometastatic or oligoprogressive cancer. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. oncologic outcomes (progression-free survival, local failure rate), 2. patient-reported outcomes, 3. physician-assessed toxicity, and 4. dynamics of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for biomarker analysis.

A Patient Portal and PROMs to Improve Health Problem Detection and Retention in HIV Care: The DRHIVe Study

Too often, people living with HIV (PLHIV) face challenges, including additional health and psychosocial problems, that complicate self-care, like medication-taking and medical appointment attendance. Healthcare providers are not always aware when patients face these difficulties. A 'patient portal' is an online application that can give patients access to their medical records, appointment reminders, and questionnaires to inform providers about their health and wellbeing. Patient portals in HIV care can help providers detect patient problems and improve care. At the McGill University Health Centre's (MUHC) HIV care service, a survey showed great interest in a patient portal among both PLHIV and healthcare providers. Yet, little is known on how best to integrate a portal in HIV care settings and ensure it is accessible to patients. This project will be conducted at the MUHC's HIV care service in Montreal, Quebec which has over 2,000 patients. Participating patients will log on to a patient portal through a smartphone application and have a calendar of their HIV care appointments, health questionnaires to complete (previously chosen by people with HIV and healthcare providers), reminders for both and access to educational material. HIV physicians will be able to see their patients' questionnaire results to discuss them during clinic appointments. The project's objectives are to better understand what is needed to successfully integrate a portal in similar HIV practices with diverse patients and learn how acceptable and usable it is for HIV patients and doctors. The project will also examine how patient portal use impacts satisfaction, attendance, and physician detection of specific health problems. Furthemore, it will consider how patient sex, age, and ethnicity influence the results. People with HIV, providers, and staff at the study site will be involved in decision-making about this project. Over its 5-year duration, knowledge will be gained and shared on how to expand portal use efficiently and equitably in similar HIV care centers.