Annual Report 2023
Innovation Center for Supportive, Palliative and Psychosocial Care
Yosuke Uchitomi, Maiko Fujimori, Sadamoto Zenda, Eriko Satomi, Hiromichi Matsuoka, Tempei Miyaji, Takuhiro Yamaguchi, Hiromi Hasegawa, Miyuki Kurosaki, Tomoe Mashiko, Naho Noguchi
Introduction
The Japan Supportive, Palliative, and Psychosocial Oncology Group (J-SUPPORT) was established in February 2016 as an organization with a hub to promote and support multicenter collaborative clinical trials on palliative, supportive, and psychosocial care, that is, an area of high unmet need (Figure 1).
Figure 1. J-SUPPORT organization chart
The Team and What We Do
J-SUPPORT has established a Stakeholder Coordination Center (SCC) to promote patient-public involvement (PPI) in the area of palliative and supportive care research. This collaborative effort involves the PPI Committee of the National Federation of Cancer Patient Organizations (ZENGANREN), and PPI has been incorporated into the review board for all approved research. By FY2023, PPI was included in eight out of the 20 approved proposals from the research plan formulation stage.
We hold review meetings to discuss the selection of new research topics and continuously exchange opinions. As a result, a Development Strategy Map was released. In preparing the development map, information on the 27 items of the questionnaire survey by the ZENGANREN Survivorship Committee was collected regarding the status of J-SUPPORT-approved research and research conducted by public research institutions such as the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), and the existence of guidelines in Japan and overseas. Based on the survey results and collected information, the ZENGANREN PPI Committee, J-SUPPORT Development Map Creation Committee, and SaQRA (*2) reviewed and created a development strategy map.
In FY2023, a report on J-SUPPORT-approved research and patient (bereaved family member) stories were introduced, and patient representatives were invited to discuss the theme "Supportive, Palliative, and Psychological Care Development with Patients and the Public."During FY2023, 18 new research consultations were initiated, and 45 studies, including continuing studies, were supported. One new intervention study was also approved as a clinical study. The total number of approved studies was 20, with eight* completed, seven preparations for paper submission, four enrollments in progress, and one in preparation (Table 1). In FY2023, 422 cases were registered. Regarding completed studies, J-SUPPORT2001's result paper was published in FY2023.
As part of the development of the Supportive and Palliative Care Research Policy, we are developing guidance on the use of electromagnetic methods for informed consent, cancer pain, and complex intervention research. Dyspnea/Breathlessness” was awarded the ‘2023 JJCO Paper of the Year’.
*J-SUPPORT1601, 1602, 1604, 1605, 1703, 1901, 1902, 2001
Table 1. List of Research Projects (2016 - 2024.3)
Education
The National Cancer Center-Community Health Research Network (N-COMMUNITY) was improved to allow mutual support of research and educational resources through collaboration with other research support organizations. A 13-organization collaborative system was established, with two new organizations added to the network.
Five "Survivorship Seminars" were held jointly with the Support and Survivorship Research Group of the National Cancer Center Institution for Cancer Control and the Faculty of Human Sciences of Waseda University, J-SUPPORT, National Center Consortium in Implementation Science for Health Equity (N-EQUITY) and The Research Association for Dissemination and Implementation Science in Health (RADISH).
Ten "Implementation Science Seminars" were held jointly with the Support and Survivorship Research Group of the National Cancer Center Institution for Cancer Control and N-EQUITY, and co-sponsored by RADISH, J-SUPPORT, and the Faculty of Human Sciences of Waseda University.
Future Prospects
The J-SUPPORT will make effort sustainably to support the clinical trials and studies for cancer supportive palliative, and psychosocial care, as well as PPI.
Organized Conferences and Symposiums
Organizer: J-SUPPORT
Conference Title: The 5th J-SUPPORT Research Results Report Meeting
Theme: J-SUPPORT with patients and citizens ~Toward the development of supportive, palliative, and psychological care
Date: Sunday, October 15, 2023
Venue (prefecture): Online