Health and Wellness Coaching to Improve Patient Activation and Adherence to Healthy Habits in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Care: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study
This clinical trial evaluates the impact of a patient-centered health and wellness coaching (HWC) intervention on adherence to treatment plans and healthy lifestyle practices in patients with papillary or follicular thyroid cancer. Treatment for thyroid cancer often involves surgery, radioactive iodine and/or lifelong levothyroxine with regular monitoring of thyroid stimulating hormone levels. Despite strong survival rates, patients frequently report fatigue, cognitive issues, mood changes, and disruptions in daily life. Treatment burden and psychosocial strain often impair the ability to follow the treatment plan and healthy lifestyle. Studies have shown that HWC motivates patients to take ownership and accountability to perform positive and healthy behavioral changes. HWC may have a positive impact on health-related goal-setting processes and improve self-care and healthcare outcomes in certain settings. It is not yet known how HWC impacts thyroid cancer patients. Incorporating HWC into survivorship care may improve adherence to treatment plans and healthy lifestyle practices in patients with papillary or follicular thyroid cancer.
• Adults ≥ 18 years
• Histologically confirmed papillary or follicular thyroid carcinoma
• Status post total thyroidectomy ± radioactive iodine therapy
• Receiving levothyroxine monotherapy (no triiodothyronine \[T3\] or desiccated thyroid products)
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) \< 4 uIU/mL at ≥ 3 months post-thyroidectomy
• English proficiency
• Ability to provide informed consent