Communication and Hospice Online with Optimal Support and Engagement (CHOOSE)

Drawing upon the principles of social identity theory, existing literature, and our initial findings from family caregiver (FCG) online support groups (OSGs), our objective is to identify fundamental facilitator communication strategies that promote safe communication engage participants, and strengthen mechanisms of action (MOAs) within OSGs, ultimately enhancing health outcomes for hospice FCGs. Our pioneering initiative, Communication and Hospice Online with Optimal Support and Engagement (CHOOSE) is backed by compelling evidence highlighting the critical role of facilitator communication in reinforcing MOAs (a shared identity, social support, and social networks) in OSGs. Preliminary research underscores the transformative power of these MOAs in improving health outcomes for FCGs, yet current studies lack generalizability and statistical robustness. CHOOSE represents the first major, multisite, rigorously designed, and theoretically informed OSG intervention explicitly tailored for hospice FCGs of cancer patients. We aim to strengthen MOAs to enhance FCG well-being, reduce depression and anxiety, improve quality of life, and diminish loneliness. By advancing this critical research, we seek to provide a well-founded, evidence-based solution to the urgent needs of FCGs, making a significant impact on their health and well-being. We have outlined the following study aims: Aim 1. Determine the effect of the CHOOSE intervention on FCGs’ health outcomes compared to usual OSGs and usual hospice care. Aim 2. Examine direct and mediational relationships between CHOOSE participation, MOAs, and health outcomes. Aim 3. Explore the relationship between facilitator communication strategies and the FCG experience of the MOA to allow for future calibration of the intervention 1 Project Number: 1R01CA315474-01 | Fiscal Year: 2026 | NIH Institute/Center: National Cancer Institute (NCI) | Principal Investigator: Debra Parker Oliver | Institution: WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, SAINT LOUIS, MO | Award Amount: $656,181 | Activity Code: R01 | Study Section: Special Emphasis Panel[ZRG1 CCHI-E (54)] View on NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11426715