ConnectedNest: a Digital Platform Connecting Individuals With Cancer to Social Care

NCT ID: NCT06559228

Last Updated: 2025-06-15

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: RECRUITING
• Clinical Phase: PHASE2
• Total Enrollment: 300 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-06-12
• Study Completion Date: 2026-10-01

Brief Summary

Social determinants of health (SDoH) such as housing instability, food insecurity, and financial burden largely shape the health and well-being of individuals, create health inequities, and drive a large portion of avoidable adverse health outcomes and healthcare costs. With new advancements in treatment and rising out-of-pocket expenses, individuals facing cancer are especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of SDoH. To address these barriers, a novel solution is needed to support oncology patients, clinical teams, and community-based organizations (CBOs) across the cancer continuum. In a Phase I contract award, XanthosHealth developed ConnectedNest, a novel electronic social care referral platform to screen for SDoH needs and connect individuals with cancer to social and community services provided by CBOs while engaging the oncology team in the SDoH referral process. Through additional funding, a pilot study was completed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in partnership with Minnesota Cancer Alliance, involving the collaboration of 14 CBOs focused on cancer. 50 cancer survivors from these CBOs were enrolled to utilize the ConnectedNest platform for a 90-day duration. Our study involved the collection and analysis of crucial metrics related to patient and CBO engagement, SDoH needs, and the volume of feasible social care referrals. In Phase II, the technical features and integration capabilities of ConnectedNest will be enhanced based on learnings in Phase I and completed pilot study. The platform will be implemented and tested among patients seen at multiple oncology clinics, evaluating health outcomes of patients who use the platform.

Conditions

Cancer

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

ConnectedNest adults

adults undergoing active cancer therapy or in cancer survivorship seen in multi-site oncology practices randomized to receive ConnectedNest

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

ConnectedNest

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants will receive a secure message to register and download ConnectedNest's patient app, EmpowerNest. They will be asked to complete a set of modules at baseline through ConnectedNest to understand their health related social needs and programs available to meet those needs. They will receive basic training on the functionality and services available within the app and asked to use the app to identify and connect with needed social and community services for 90 days. Participants will be directed to complete a survey at baseline, 30, 60, and 90 days to collect patient-reported outcomes.

Standard of care adults

adults undergoing active cancer therapy or in cancer survivorship seen in multi-site oncology practices randomized to receive standard of care

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standard of care

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants will be directed to complete a survey at baseline, 30, 60 and 90 days to collect patient-reported demographics, cancer characteristics and outcomes metrics

Interventions

ConnectedNest

Participants will receive a secure message to register and download ConnectedNest's patient app, EmpowerNest. They will be asked to complete a set of modules at baseline through ConnectedNest to understand their health related social needs and programs available to meet those needs. They will receive basic training on the functionality and services available within the app and asked to use the app to identify and connect with needed social and community services for 90 days. Participants will be directed to complete a survey at baseline, 30, 60, and 90 days to collect patient-reported outcomes.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Standard of care

Participants will be directed to complete a survey at baseline, 30, 60 and 90 days to collect patient-reported demographics, cancer characteristics and outcomes metrics

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Adults, age 18 and over
• undergoing active cancer therapy or in survivorship
• must be able to read and write in English
• Seen in a participating Minnesota oncology clinic

Exclusion Criteria

• Children

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Minnesota

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Helen Parsons, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Minnesota

Locations

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Site Status: RECRUITING

Countries

United States

Central Contacts

Allison Iwan

Role: CONTACT

iwanx003@umn.edu

612-626-4816

Facility Contacts

Allison Iwan, BS, CCRP

Role: primary

iwanx003@umn.edu

612-626-4816

Other Identifiers

2024LS102

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id