Project Talk Trial: Engaging Underserved Communities in End-of-life Conversations
Last updated on July 2021Recruitment
- Recruitment Status
- Not yet recruiting
- Estimated Enrollment
- Same as current
Summary
- Conditions
- Advance Care Planning
- Advance Directives
- Chronic Illness
- Communication
- Terminal Illness
- Type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Design
- Allocation: RandomizedIntervention Model: Parallel AssignmentIntervention Model Description: This is a 3-armed, cluster randomized controlled trial that will compare the efficacy of two evidenced based interventions, with a nationally-promoted structured workbook, Conversation Project (CP) Starter Kit; and use of a Placebo/Attention control, non-ACP game called Table Topics. The primary outcome is completion of an advance directive 6 months post-intervention.Masking: Single (Investigator)Masking Description: The principal investigator and statistical teams will be blinded to the allocation of study participants to the study arms.Primary Purpose: Other
Participation Requirements
- Age
- Between 18 years and 125 years
- Gender
- Both males and females
Description
The overall project goal of this 3-armed cluster, randomized control trial in underserved, diverse communities is to determine whether playing a serious conversation game called Hello is more effective than other advance care planning (ACP) approaches, or usual care (i.e., simply distributing an adv...
The overall project goal of this 3-armed cluster, randomized control trial in underserved, diverse communities is to determine whether playing a serious conversation game called Hello is more effective than other advance care planning (ACP) approaches, or usual care (i.e., simply distributing an advance directive [AD]). The investigators will randomize 75 underserved communities across the US. The primary outcome is completion of a visually verified AD; secondary outcomes include performance of other ACP behaviors. Many Black/African Americans and Latina/Latino patients are more likely to receive low quality end-of- life medical care than White individuals- in fact, they are 3 times more likely than white Americans to die after a lengthy intensive care unit stay. Advance care planning (ACP)- the process of discussing one's wishes with loved ones and clinicians, and then documenting them in an advance directive (AD)- can help reduce these health inequities by preventing costly/burdensome treatments that are unlikely to reduce suffering or improve quality of life. Though ~60% of Americans engage in ACP, <25% of underserved populations have done so- in large part due to distrust of the healthcare system/clinicians, and reluctance to discuss death and dying. This study leverages underserved communities' existing, trusted social networks to deploy two community-based ACP interventions and study their mechanisms of action. By identifying which interventions increase engagement in ACP in underserved communities (and why), this project will help improve quality of end-of-life care, reduce unnecessary suffering, and end-of-life healthcare costs which conserves public health resources.
Tracking Information
- NCT #
- NCT04612738
- Collaborators
- Hospice Foundation of America
- University of Kentucky
- Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Lauren J. Van Scoy, MD Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; Penn State University College of Medicine
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