An Initial Look At Recruitment Data, The Nurse Amie Trial

Numbers from the Census Bureau and the Department of Agriculture indicate that approximately 20% of U.S. citizens live in rural counties, yet the rate of cancer is higher in these areas compared to people living in big cities. Other research has shown that cancer deaths were almost 10% higher in rural counties and that rural cancer patients reported worse symptoms of anxiety, depression, distress, emotional problems, sleep, fatigue, and pain. Further, exercise has been shown to improve cancer symptoms, but few studies have addressed physical activity among rural advanced cancer patients. The Nurse AMIE study is focused on supporting advanced cancer patients living in rural areas or those areas outside of big cities through a tablet-based supportive care platform. PURPOSE: The purpose of the Nurse AMIE study is to examine whether a tablet-based supportive care program will improve survival or quality of life among rural advanced cancer patients. One of the essential elements of the study is to ensure that participants meet the specific criteria that align with the study objectives to ensure safety, maximize relevance, power, minimize bias, and prioritize participant well-being and respect their autonomy. The purpose of the present analysis is to document the process of recruitment into this study. By carefully selecting participants, we aim to enhance the quality and reliability of the study findings. METHODS: The Nurse AMIE trial is a randomized control trial with 1469 patients assessed for eligibility at the time of writing. RESULTS: Of 1469 patients assessed, the number of eligible was 282. (See Figure 1.) CONCLUSION: It appears that 19.2% of screened patients were considered eligible for the study. Of these, 54% consented and were randomized. Given the small percentage considered eligible, efforts will be needed to ensure that randomized patients are representative of those assessed for eligibility.RO1-CA254659