Improving advance care planning for older adults undergoing surgery
Official title: I CAN DO Surgical ACP (Improving Completion, Accuracy, and Dissemination Of Surgical Advanced Care Planning) Trial
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11124483 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help older adults who are getting ready for major surgeries by using a helpful tool called PREPARE, which makes it easier for patients and their caregivers to talk about their healthcare choices and preferences before the surgery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $1,371,949 |
| NIH project number | 4UH3AG081663-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11124483 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and over who are scheduled for major elective surgeries.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergoing surgery or are younger than 65 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance advance care planning (ACP) for older adults who are about to undergo major elective surgeries. It focuses on integrating a patient-facing technology called PREPARE into the pre-surgical process, which helps patients and caregivers engage in meaningful discussions about medical decisions. By embedding this tool into electronic health records and providing automated reminders, the project seeks to empower both patients and surgical teams to have important conversations about care preferences and treatment options. The goal is to ensure that surgical decisions align with patients' values and wishes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better alignment of surgical care with patients' preferences, improving overall satisfaction and outcomes for older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that similar approaches to advance care planning have been effective in increasing patient engagement and improving communication between patients and healthcare providers.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wick, Elizabeth C — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Wick, Elizabeth C
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.