The PROAKTIV Study (NCT04673760) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
The PROAKTIV Study
Switzerland149 participantsStarted 2020-09-07
Plain-language summary
The overall objective of this study is to identify whether the systematic anticipation of highly structured specialized palliative home care into primary care influences the quality of care and care utilization. Quality of care focusses on the sense of security of patients and family caregivers, satisfaction with care of patients, family caregivers, general practitioners, home care nurses and specialized palliative care nurses, and availability and access to advanced directives. Health care utilization focus on the number of hospitalizations and the length of hospital stays.
Who can participate
Age range
18 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.
Patients inclusion criteria:
* 18 years or older
* Able to read and understand German
* Able to fill out questionnaires with only minimal assistance
* Live in the catchment area of SPHC
* Positive screening on the palliative care screening tools
* Expected survival time of approximately six months or less
* Have a GP (or GP medical substitute)
* Registered with Spitex care
* Wish to live at home as long as possible (no plans for long term nursing home uptake)
* Written informed consent
Patients exclusion criteria:
* Planned discharged from hospitals to institutions (e.g. other hospitals, rehabilitations, nursing homes)
* Live permanently in nursing homes
* Cognitive impairments that make it impossible to follow the study (e.g. psychological disorders, dementia, loss of judgement).
Family caregivers inclusion criteria:
* 18 years or older
* Able to read and understand German
* Familiar with the care situation patient
* Written informed consent
Specialized palliative home care team:
* Provide care in German speaking part of canton Bern
* 24/7-availability of specialized palliative care
* Specialized palliative care team including nurses and consulting physician with specialized palliative care certification.
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
1
Sense of security of patients
Timeframe: From 2 months before the date of baseline measurement (retrospectively), to six months after the baseline measurement (prospectively).