The patient will be contacted and consent will be obtained by telephone. Once consent is obtained, the doula will be contacted with the patient information.~The doula will then contact the patient and determine how the 3 hours/week will be sent.~The doula will be trained by the study PI. The protocols for patient engagement will be taught. At the conclusion of the training, the doula that successfully work with standardized patients will be asked to work through the protocols for each clinic visit.~The options of emotional support, practical assistance, family support, and legacy building projects will be offered. The nature and type of visits will be determined by the patient and doula. A weekly plan will be implemented by the doula which may involve conversations, creating legacy projects, conversations with family and patients, and assistance with practical issues. Following completion of data collection, descriptive statistics will be utilized to evaluate % change in patient outcomes from baseline to 2 months and study completion. Implementation outcomes will be quantified.
The proposed program, Doulas - AC will provide Dignity, Legacy, Advocacy and Support for Advanced Cancer: Reimagined End of Life Care in the Black Community. The goals are to: 1) provide a community-based, trained companion to journey alongside the patient with advanced cancer, 2) to help the individual explore meaning and create legacy, 3); offer support and navigation for practical needs of illness (e.g., financial assistance for food and housing, accessing and affording medications, transportation); and 4) to provide support and connection for the bereaved family/friends, including facilitating community connections for routine health screenings and access to mental health services, as needed.