CompletedNot Applicable

A Communication Tool to Assist Severely Injured Older Adults

United States298 participantsStarted 2017-07-14

Plain-language summary

The purpose of this study is to test the effect of the "Best Case/Worse Case" (BC/WC) communication tool on the quality of communication with older patients admitted to two trauma units. The intervention was developed and tested with acute care surgical patients at the University of Wisconsin (UW) and we are now testing whether the intervention will work in a different setting. We will test the intervention with severely injured older adults at Oregon Health Sciences University (OHSU) and Parkland Memorial Hospital (PMH) at the University of Texas Southwestern (UTS). In the first year, UTS/PMH and OHSU will recruit and enroll 50 patients in the control arm (total, for both sites) and train trauma surgeons to use the best case/worst case tool. In the second year, UTS/PMH and OHSU will recruit and enroll 50 patients in the intervention arm (total, for both sites). UW will compare survey-reported and chart-derived measures before and after clinicians learn to use the best case/worst case tool.

Who can participate

Age range

50 Years

Sex

ALL

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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.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

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

Family Member-reported Quality of End of Life Communication (QOC) Received From Study Surgeon

Timeframe: 72 hours after trauma unit admission

Family Member-reported General Communication (QOC) Received From Study Surgeon

Timeframe: 72 hours after trauma unit admission

Trial details

NCT IDNCT03188055

SponsorUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2019-12-20

Results submitted2020-10-23

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Communication trials

Plain-language summary