Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) awarded Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research a $745,458 Project Grant under the Cancer Cause and Prevention Research program (CFDA 93.393) for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2031. The award funds development and implementation of the PERSON Intervention, an innovative digital health solution designed to facilitate person-centered communication between oncology patients and clinicians. The intervention leverages patient portals to systematically elicit and deliver essential patient-reported information regarding communication preferences, illness and treatment understanding, and personal health values and priorities. This automated, scalable system comprises three integrated components: a 14-item PERSON questionnaire administered through the patient portal, delivery of patient responses to the oncology care team, and clinical decision support tools enabling providers to document and discuss responses within the electronic health record.

The project employs a hybrid Type 2 study design to assess the effectiveness and implementation feasibility of the PERSON Intervention in outpatient oncology settings. By repeating the assessment process at four-month intervals, the intervention accommodates evolving patient needs and priorities while supporting shared decision-making and individualized care planning—particularly for patients with advanced disease. This research addresses a critical implementation challenge in high-volume oncology clinics: delivering consistent, efficient, and effective person-centered communication that ensures patients both understand their illness and feel recognized as individuals with distinct values and concerns.