Cancer Outcomes Research and Education Program (CORE)

Overview

The Cancer Outcomes Research and Program (CORE) is a unique, collaborative research team with members from oncology, nursing, palliative care, psychiatry, and psychology. CORE's breadth of experience as investigators and clinicians enables the team to integrate multiple perspectives into a transdisciplinary research platform.

Mission Statement

We conduct innovative research and educational programs to improve the experience and outcomes of patients and caregivers across the continuum of cancer care.

Our objectives are to:

1. Increase health behaviors that reduce cancer risk and incidence.
2. Improve care delivery, symptoms, and quality of life for patients and caregivers throughout their illness.
3. Enhance the physical and psychosocial experience of cancer survivors.

By advancing the science of cancer care, we will ensure that all individuals affected by cancer receive the highest quality, state-of-the-art care that is personalized to their physical, psychosocial and spiritual needs.

Program Areas

• Cancer Prevention and Screening
• Behavioral Health and Self Care
• Symptom Management
• Palliative Care
• Survivorship
• Health Disparities and Inequities
• Training and education

Education & Training

Annual Workshop on Methods in Supportive Oncology Research

Please stay tuned for details on our 2020 workshop. CORE faculty will host junior investigators from around the world for a week-long intensive workshop in supportive oncology research. This annual workshop provides an overview of fundamental methods in supportive oncology research, such as study designs, qualitative and survey methods, and approaches to data analysis.

News & Announcements

Dr. Jacobs featured in Coping with Cancer magazine

The article How to Cope with the Stress of Cancer, co-authored by Jamie Jacobs, PhD, was featured in the July/August 2019 issue of Coping with Cancer magazine.

Dr. Jackson appointed as inaugural incumbent of the Blum Family Endowed Chair in Palliative Care

Vicki Jackson, MD, MPH was appointed as the inaugural incumbent of the Blum Family Endowed Chair in Palliative Care during a celebration at the Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation on September 13, 2018. The newly established chair was made possible through the generosity of Betty Ann and Marjorie Blum, on behalf of their late parents Maxwell V. and Eleanor S. Blum, and is the first endowed chair with a focus on palliative care. The Blum Family Endowed Chair in Palliative Care will advance research, care and education in palliative care and will provide stable and flexible support to further Dr. Jackson’s research, teaching, and clinical care efforts. Congratulations, Vicki!

Dr. Temel to receive Walther Cancer Foundation Palliative and Supportive Care in Oncology Endowed Award and Lecture

CORE Director Jennifer Temel, MD will be awarded the Walther Cancer Foundation Palliative and Supportive Care in Oncology Endowed Award and Lecture by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in November 2018. Dr. Temel will accept her award and present a keynote lecture at the 2018 Palliative and Supportive Care in Oncology Symposium, which will be taking place in San Diego, CA November 16-17, 2018. Endowed by the Walther Cancer Foundation, this award and lecture was established to recognize a distinguished lecturer and leader with multiple, significant, and enduring contributions to palliative and supportive care in oncology through the prevention, assessment and management of cancer- and treatment-related suffering. The Walther Cancer Foundation supports and promotes interdisciplinary and inter-institutional bench and clinical cancer research, with a special commitment to supportive oncology, and it’s goal is to help build cancer programs that provide tangible benefits by expanding the world’s scientific knowledge. Congratulations, Jennifer!

Dr. El-Jawahri named as a “40 under 40 in Cancer” Rising Star and Emerging Leader for 2018

Areej El-Jawahri, MD was recently honored on June 2, 2018 at a reception in Chicago, IL as a 40 under 40 in Cancer awardee. This awards initiative was founded by McGivney Global Advisors and The Lynx Group to identify and recognize the contributions being made across the field of cancer by rising stars and emerging leaders under the age of 40 years old. Awardees were selected by a panel of reviewers from across diverse roles in oncology and represented the following categories: clinical and patient care professional; biopharma, diagnostics and devices; research, science and technology; government, regulatory and payer; and patient, advocacy and policy. Congratulations, Areej!

Dr. Nipp interviewed by ASCO Post at 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting

CORE member Ryan Nipp, MD was recently interviewed by The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Post to discuss the trial results of an Electronic Symptom Monitoring study during the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. These results came from the “Randomized trial of a symptom monitoring intervention for hospitalized patients with cancer” trial that was conducted by the CORE group at MGH. To view the interview, please click here. To view the abstract for this trial, please click here.

In addition to this interview, Dr. Nipp and the CORE team also presented the following at the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting: (1) “Randomized trial of a pharmacy intervention for older adults with cancer”; (2) “Addressing financial concerns of cancer clinical trial participants: Longitudinal outcomes of an equity intervention”; and (3) “The Clinician's Perspective on Discussing Costs With Patients”. Great job Ryan!