Organizations:  Cancer Companions

Background/Context:

Cancer care is often filled with anxiety, strain, and distress.  The US National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has implemented a distress thermometer tool for health care providers to use with patients to screen for distress.  Alongside the distress thermometer, the NCCN provides a problem list that covers a range of issues from practical and physical problems to emotional and spiritual concerns.  The goal of these tools is to assist health care providers in identifying patients who would benefit from additional resources and support and prompt them to make those referrals.

Funded by: Donors like you.

Research Question:

1. What are the best practices for cancer care staff to use the NCCN distress thermometer and problem list in their workflows to ensure patients receive holistic care? 

Study Aims:

1. This pilot study will include three cancer care centers in the US.  It will compare their workflows for managing patient distress as well as the type and frequency of referrals generated.  This will be an initial opportunity to explore which workflow factors are significant to cancer patients’ holistic care.

Impact:

This study offers participating cancer care centers the ability to see their workflow in action and assess areas for improvement.  Sharing these findings will encourage other cancer care centers to do the same.  Ultimately, improved use and application of these tools will lead to improved referral procedures for patients in need of spiritual care.

Open Positions:

1 Research Scholar – We are looking for a research scholar to contribute to data analysis (Aug-Oct 2025). (please note project when applying)

Timeline:  April 2025 – December 2025

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