Developing and Testing an Online Pathway From Screening to Treatment for Depression in Oncology: iPath*D (Aim 2)

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which an online pathway to depression treatment (iPath*D) is acceptable and usable to patients receiving cancer treatment who report symptoms of depression.

Conditions

  • Cancer
  • Depression

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  1. Adults (≥18 years) 2. New patients who are beginning treatment at Dartmouth Cancer Center North and returning for their chemo teach or radiation simulation visit 3. Can communicate in English 4. PHQ-9 ≥10 and ≤27

Exclusion Criteria

  1. Mild Depression (PHQ-9 ≥10) 2. Individuals who screen positive for suicidal ideation with method, intent, plan or a recent prior suicide/self-harm attempt, as determined by a positive endorsement of items 3, 4, 5 or 6 on the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSR). 3. Individuals with bipolar disorder or psychosis (documented in the EMR) 4. Individuals currently receiving treatment for a mental health condition (documented in the EMR or self-reported during eligibility screening) 5. Significant cognitive impairment (Callahan's Six Item Screener of cognitive function ≤ 4; Self-reported during eligibility screening)

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Primary Purpose
Other
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
iPath*D
An online platform that connects patients screening positive for clinically significant depression in cancer settings to a range of online and inperson evidence-based treatments, facilitated by an interactive DA.
  • Other: iPath*D
    Online pathway from screening to treatment for depression in cancer patients.

Recruiting Locations

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center

Study Contact

Susan Tarczewski
603-646-7066
susan.m.tarczewski@dartmouth.edu

Detailed Description

The investigators will determine the extent to which an online pathway to depression treatment (iPath*D) is acceptable and usable to patients receiving cancer treatment who report symptoms of depression. iPath*D will be designed to increase screening, mental health literacy, and treatment access. Patients will access their iPath*D account online to review their PHQ-9 score and its interpretation, followed by an interactive depression decision aid comparing information on a range of online and in-person treatment options. Upon review of the decision aid, participants will be able to directly connect to a treatment path via embedded hyperlinks in the decision aid. The investigators will determine the usability, acceptability, and feasibility of iPath*D. The investigators will explore the hypothesis that iPath*D will be highly usable, acceptable to patients, feasible to implement, and will result in improved mental health literacy, and greater treatment access. The tool for the study was developed during a preliminary portion (Aim 1) of the project, under D-H IRB number STUDY02001240 . This approach uses an open-label, single arm pilot, with adult patients receiving treatment for cancer in a rural cancer clinic, St Johnsbury, VT (Dartmouth Cancer Center North) (n=30) with moderate-severe depression, Aim 2 of the project.