Improving Early Advance Care Planning for Young Adults Aged 18 to 39 With Advanced Solid Tumors and High-Grade Brain Tumors

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating educational tools to improve early advance care planning ACP in adolescents and young adults AYAs aged 18 to 39 years with advanced solid tumors and high-grade brain tumors. These cancers may have spread locally or to distant parts of the body. The study addresses the rising incidence of AYA cancers, highlighting the importance of starting ACP conversations early to clarify care goals, end-of-life preferences, and advance directives for this population. Participants will watch an on-demand educational video about early ACP designed for AYAs at the beginning of the study. One month later, they attend a tailored ACP appointment lasting about one hour with either an AYA social worker or a palliative medicine physician assistant. This appointment reviews an ACP guide made specifically for AYAs and answers questions about ACP. The study also includes ancillary activities such as electronic health record reviews and survey administration. During the study, participants will be assessed on the feasibility of implementing routine early ACP and their satisfaction with the educational video and ACP appointment over up to one year. Researchers will measure advance directive completion rates and changes in ACP readiness and anxiety at baseline, 4 months, and 7 months. Participation involves watching the video at home and attending the ACP appointment, with follow-up evaluations conducted up to one year from enrollment.

Educational Tools for the Improvement of Early Advance Care Planning in Adolescents and Young Adults With Advanced Solid Tumors and High-Grade Brain Tumors