Summary table of study metrics
Outcome | Concept | Data source | Evaluation metrics | Timing |
Component 1: Context, training and process measures | Context | Field notes |
| Baseline, mid-year and 1 year |
Volunteer onboarding | ACS volunteer management system |
| Volunteer onboarding period, prior to volunteer launch | |
Service penetrance | ACS data management platform |
Median and range per volunteer
Median and range per ACS CARES volunteer
Median and range per ACS CARES volunteer
Median and range per ACS CARES volunteer
Median and range per ACS CARES volunteer
Median and range per ACS CARES volunteer
| Monthly; and sum of the programme | |
Volunteer satisfaction | ACS volunteer survey | Volunteer Satisfaction Index | 1 year | |
Implementation blueprint | Summary results of context, training and penetrance data | N/A | 1 year | |
Component 2: Sociodemographic differences between ACS CARES supported and non-ACS CARES supported patients; impact of ACS CARES on treatment adherence and healthcare utilisation | Acceptability, effectiveness | Pilot site health system report | Patient 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 outcomes | Acceptability, effectiveness | ACS 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 life | Baseline 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.