A decision aid for end-of-life care in advanced COPD patients and their families
Effects of a Decision Support Intervention on End-of-life Care Planning in Patients With Advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Their Family Members: A Mixed Method Approach
This study is testing a new decision-making tool to help patients with advanced COPD and their families make better choices about end-of-life care.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 226 (estimated) |
| Ages | 50 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Food and Health Bureau, Hong Kong Government |
| Locations | 2 sites (Hong Kong and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06008210 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to enhance end-of-life decision-making for patients with advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and their family members. It will utilize a parallel two-arm single-blinded randomized controlled trial design, enrolling 226 participants from hospital wards and outpatient clinics. Participants will be assigned to either a decision support intervention group or a control group receiving general health coaching. The study will assess outcomes at baseline, and at 1 and 6 months post-allocation, with additional qualitative insights gathered from a subsample of dyads to evaluate the intervention's impact.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include individuals aged 50 and over diagnosed with advanced COPD who can nominate a family member for participation.
Not a fit: Patients receiving palliative care services or those with severe communication barriers may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly improve the preparedness and satisfaction of patients and families facing end-of-life decisions in advanced COPD.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using decision support interventions for end-of-life care, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria of patients: * are aged 50 years or over * have been diagnosed with COPD * are cognitively sound (scored \> 5 on the validated Abbreviated Mental Test (Hong Kong version) \[AMT-HK\]) * meet at least two of the six specific clinical indicators related to advanced COPD in the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Proactive Identification Guidance, 6th Edition * can nominate a family member who would take part in their healthcare decision- making. Inclusion Criteria of patients' family members: * are aged 18 years or over, * can communicate in Cantonese, * have at least one personal contact per week with the patient in the past 6 months and * are willing to join the study. Family members will be excluded if they score \< 6 on the AMT-HK or are expecting to leave Hong Kong within the next 6 months. Exclusion Criteria: * non-communicable due to a severe hearing impairment, dysphasia or a language barrier; * are receiving palliative care services or * have already completed ACP or an advance directive.
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong and 1 other locations
- Prince of Wales Hospital — Hong Kong, China (Recruiting)
- Tai Po Hospital — Hong Kong, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Helen Chan, Ph.D. — Chinese University of Hong Kong
- Study coordinator: Helen Chan, Ph.D.
- Email: helencyl@cuhk.edu.hk
- Phone: 39438099
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.