Table 1

Summary table of study metrics

OutcomeConceptData sourceEvaluation metricsTiming
Component 1: Context, training and process measuresContextField notes
  • # of clinical and nonclinical navigators (including oncology social workers) at each participating site

  • # of clinical providers and clinics engaging with ACS CARES volunteers at each site

  • barriers and facilitators identified in implementing the pilot programme

  • date and details of any changes, team staffing or organisation, institutional policy changes, and national policy changes that we anticipate will impact the ACS CARES programme

Baseline, mid-year and 1 year
Volunteer onboardingACS volunteer management system
  • # and % of students who complete ACS requirements to volunteer

  • # and % of students who complete health system requirements to volunteer

  • # and % of volunteers who complete all training

  • # and % of volunteers who do not complete all training

  • # of synchronous trainings conducted

  • time to complete the overall ACS onboarding process

  • time to complete health system-specific training

  • time to complete online ACS CARES navigation training modules

  • # of continuing education sessions conducted

Volunteer onboarding period, prior to volunteer launch
Service penetranceACS data management platform
  • # of patients/caregivers approached for ACS CARES

Median and range per volunteer
  • # of patients/caregivers who decline by refusal reason

  • # of patients/caregivers supported by ACS CARES


Median and range per volunteer
  • # of patients/caregivers who received psychosocial distress screening


Median and range per ACS CARES volunteer
  • # of patients/caregivers who received an SDOH screening


Median and range per ACS CARES volunteer
  • # of follow-ups conducted


Median and range per ACS CARES volunteer
  • # of in-person visits conducted


Median and range per ACS CARES volunteer
  • # of shifts completed


Median and range per ACS CARES volunteer
  • # of referrals received from health system team members

Monthly; and sum of the programme
Volunteer satisfactionACS volunteer surveyVolunteer Satisfaction Index1 year
Implementation blueprintSummary results of context, training and penetrance dataN/A1 year
Component 2: Sociodemographic differences between ACS CARES supported and non-ACS CARES supported patients; impact of ACS CARES on treatment adherence and healthcare utilisationAcceptability, effectivenessPilot site health system reportPatient characteristics: age, sex, gender (if available), race, ethnicity, insurance status, zip code, urban or rural residence, Area Deprivation Index category, and distance from cancer centre (<30 min, 30–60 min >60 min)
Cancer and treatment characteristics: cancer type, date of diagnosis, type of current treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, stem cell or bone marrow transplant, hormone therapy), total clinic appointments, # clinic appts missed/cancelled, total infusion appointments, # infusion appointments missed/cancelled, total radiation treatment appts, # radiation treatment appointments missed/cancelled, enrolled in a clinical trial (y/n), start date of clinical trial participation, ER visits, hospitalisations, ICU admissions, total cost of care. For new patients during baseline or intervention time periods, date of first clinic visit.
Baseline (1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022) and Intervention (1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024)
Component 3: Measure the impact of ACS CARES on patient-reported outcomesAcceptability, effectivenessACS NurseNav data management platform
ACS survey
Distress, information needs, SDOH barriers, satisfaction with programme, unmet needs, patient–provider communication, clinical trials knowledge, patient activation, financial toxicity, quality of lifeBaseline and 6 months into pilot
  • ACS CARES, American Cancer Society Community Access to Resources, Education, and Support; ER, emergency room; ICU, intensive care unit; SDOH, social determinants of health.