BIRMINGHAM, Ala., May 19, 2020 // Pack Health and the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center – Jefferson Health (SKCC) today announced a longitudinal study with multi-site, community-based enrollment to evaluate the role and impact of digital health coaching for men with Prostate Cancer in the Delaware Valley. This study will evaluate health self-efficacy and Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) of men receiving Pack Health’s digital health coaching intervention for Prostate Cancer and has been funded through SKCC’s Philadelphia Prostate Cancer Biome Project.
“Side effects from the treatment of prostate cancer are common, and can significantly impact quality of life. Digital health coaching has the potential to provide support to patients wherever they are, and improve their lives” says Nathan Handley, MD, MBA, Assistant Professor of Medical Oncology at SKCC and the study’s principal investigator.
“The need is particularly high in the Delaware Valley, where patients can receive treatment at a wide variety of sites and may have limited access to a dedicated team that can provide supportive care,” adds coinvestigator Adam Dicker, MD, PhD, Enterprise SVP and Chair of Radiation Oncology at SKCC and Director of the Jefferson Center for Digital Health.
One hundred individuals will be enrolled in this program through a variety of outreach methods, focusing on community cancer support group networks and care delivery organizations. Each participant will be assigned a personal Health Advisor, who will engage with them over a three-month period using a combination of at least one coaching call and four digital nudges (personalized follow up via text, email, or app, based on the participant’s preference) per week to augment, but not replace, clinical care. These services will be provided at no cost to the patient.
“We are excited to expand the reach of our Prostate Cancer program, which to date has been piloted only in Academic Medical Centers, to community-based settings,” says Dr. Kelly Brassil, Director of Medical Affairs for Pack Health. “This partnership will enable us to go deeper with a more diverse population, to better understand and address social determinants of health in the context of Prostate Cancer.”
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About Jefferson
Jefferson is reimagining health care and education to create unparalleled value. Jefferson is more than 30,000 people strong, dedicated to providing the highest-quality, compassionate clinical care for patients, preparing tomorrow’s professional leaders for 21st-century careers, and discovering new treatments to define the future of care. Thomas Jefferson University, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, dates back to 1824 and today comprises 10 colleges and three schools offering 160 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 8,100 students. Jefferson Health serves patients through millions of encounters each year at 14 hospitals (seven are Magnet® designated by the ANCC for nursing excellence) and over 40 outpatient and urgent care locations throughout the region.
About Pack Health
Pack Health is a digital health coaching platform that integrates evidence-based content, metrics, and devices to deliver highly personalized, human-to-human support across 25+ chronic conditions. The high-touch engagement model is proven to increase access, improve experience, and drive better health outcomes for individuals with chronic conditions. Pack Health addresses comorbidities, social determinants, and barriers to drive results across industries, including health systems, health plans, and employers.
