A Communication Tool to Improve Communication in the ICU (NCT05780918) | Clinical Trial Compass
Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable
A Communication Tool to Improve Communication in the ICU
United States7,600 participantsStarted 2023-07-01
Plain-language summary
The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of the Best Case/Worst Case-ICU communication tool on quality of communication, clinician moral distress, and ICU length of stay for older adults with serious traumatic injury. Investigators will follow an estimated 4500 patients aged 50 years and older who are in the ICU for 3 or more days and survey 1500 family members and up to 1600 clinicians from 8 sites nationwide.
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:
* aged 50 and older
* admitted to the ICU for 3 or more days after serious injury
Exclusion Criteria:
* none
Family Members
Inclusion Criteria:
* aged 18 and older
* patient's family member or informally designated "like family" or primary surrogate decision maker
* speak English or Spanish
Exclusion Criteria:
* does not have decision-making capacity
Clinicians
Inclusion Criteria:
* provide care in the trauma ICU (including attending trauma surgeons, fellows, residents, advance practice providers, bedside nurses and medical assistants, respiratory techs and physical therapists, social workers, and chaplains)
Exclusion Criteria:
* do not provide care in the trauma ICU
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
Family-reported Quality of Communication (QOC) within 5-7 days of ICU admission
Timeframe: up to 10 days after patient admission, one-time survey for family members