Social Equity Data in Primary Care: How Best to Collect Data From Hard-to-Reach Populations (NCT07550101) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
Social Equity Data in Primary Care: How Best to Collect Data From Hard-to-Reach Populations
Canada760 participantsStarted 2024-10-11
Plain-language summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a community-based outreach approach can improve the collection of social and demographic information in adult primary care patients who may be harder to reach through standard clinic processes. The study focuses on patients who face potential barriers to care, such as limited income, housing instability, language differences, or other social challenges.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does support from a Community Health Surveyor increase completion of a social and demographic questionnaire compared to usual care?
* Does this approach improve participation among patients with social needs or barriers to accessing care?
Researchers will compare usual care (standard questionnaire invitation methods) with an enhanced approach that includes proactive outreach and support from a Community Health Surveyor to see if this increases questionnaire completion.
Participants will:
* Be invited to complete a social and demographic questionnaire as part of routine care
* Complete the questionnaire either independently or with support from clinic staff or a Community Health Surveyor (depending on group assignment)
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.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults aged 18 years or older
* Registered patients of participating St. Michael's Hospital Academic Family Health Team (SMHAFHT) primary care sites
* Did not complete the Health Equity Questionnaire atthe time of study identification
* Classified as Hard-to-Reach (HTR), defined as meeting at least one of the following criteria based on electronic medical record (EMR) data: Residence in a lower-income area (priority postal code) or documented housing instability (no fixed address) AND at least one vulnerability indicator, including: No email address on file; Receipt of Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program benefits (based on administrative/billing data within the past 5 years); EMR-identified priority population status, including gender diverse identity, severe mental illness (e.g., schizophrenia or bipolar disorder), or developmental disability
Exclusion Criteria:
* Age under 18 years
* Prior completion of the Health Equity Questionnaire (HEQ) before eligibility determination
* Not included in the St. Michael's Hospital Academic Family Health Team (SMHAFHT) electronic medical record patient population at the time of eligibility identification
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
HEQ Completion Rate Among Participants in Intervention and Usual Care Arms
Timeframe: From participant assignment to study arms until the end of the intervention period (approximately 6 months), from October 11, 2024 to April 18, 2025.