Communication During Hospitalization About Resuscitation Trial (NCT02984124) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedPhase 2/3
Communication During Hospitalization About Resuscitation Trial
United States182 participantsStarted 2016-12
Plain-language summary
This multicenter RCT of 200 hospitalized patients and their family members evaluates an "informed assent" approach to discussing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, compared to usual care, in older seriously ill hospitalized patients with severe life-limiting illness or severe functional impairment.
Who can participate
Age range
65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. \>65 years old
. English speaking
. Must have one or more of the following:
. Chronic life-limiting illness with median survival \<2 years defined as: 1) metastatic cancer or inoperable lung cancer; 2) COPD requiring oxygen; 3) New York Heart Association Class III or IV heart failure, 4) Child's Class C cirrhosis or MELD score of \>20, 5) End-stage renal disease (must be on dialysis and ≥ 75 years old), 6) Advanced pulmonary fibrosis/interstitial lung disease, 7) Advanced pulmonary hypertension
. Severe functional impairment defined as dependence with \>4 activities of daily living (ADLs) on Katz Index of Independence in ADLs.
Exclusion criteria
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial focused on communication about cardiopulmonary resuscitation for people with serious illnesses like COPD, heart failure, and cancer — given my specific diagnosis, does my doctor think the kind of structured resuscitation conversations tested in this trial could be useful for my care planning right now?
2Since this trial is completed, has my doctor seen or reviewed any of the published findings about whether this type of structured communication actually improved patients' understanding of their CPR options, and what does that mean for how we should talk about my own resuscitation preferences?
3The trial enrolled people with conditions described as 'severe' or 'life-limiting' — can my doctor help me understand how serious my condition currently is, and whether having a formal goals-of-care conversation like the ones studied here is something we should prioritize soon?
4If my doctor's hospital or practice already uses a structured approach to resuscitation discussions similar to what was tested in this trial, how would that conversation actually work for me in practice, and who would be involved?
5Are there other resources or palliative care consultations my doctor would recommend alongside — or instead of — waiting to see if this trial's communication methods get adopted more widely, so that my preferences about resuscitation are clearly understood and documented now?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Quality of Communication Questionnaire (QOCQ), slightly modified to focus on communication about cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Timeframe: Study day 5 +/- 1 or hospital discharge, whichever is earlier