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Engaging underserved communities in end-of-life conversations

Project Talk Trial: Engaging Underserved Communities in End-of-life Conversations: a Cluster, Randomized Controlled Trial

NA · Milton S. Hershey Medical Center · NCT04612738

This study is trying to see if using a conversation game and a starter kit can help people in underserved communities talk about and complete their end-of-life care plans better than usual methods.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment1500 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorMilton S. Hershey Medical Center (other)
Locations81 sites (Athens, Alabama and 80 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04612738 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This project aims to improve advance care planning (ACP) among underserved communities by utilizing trusted social networks to facilitate discussions about end-of-life care. The study will compare the effectiveness of a serious conversation game called Hello, a starter kit from The Conversation Project, and usual care in motivating individuals to complete advance directives. By engaging participants in these conversations, the study seeks to enhance the quality of end-of-life care and address health disparities. The trial will involve 75 communities across the US and will measure the completion of advance directives as the primary outcome.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults over 18 years old from underserved populations who have not completed an advance directive in the past five years.

Not a fit: Patients who have already completed an advance directive within the last five years may not receive additional benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this initiative could significantly improve the quality of end-of-life care for underserved populations by ensuring their wishes are documented and respected.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in using community-based interventions to improve advance care planning, making this approach promising yet still innovative.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria Community Hosts

1. Ability to recruit 20 individuals from underserved populations to attend a community event
2. Experience hosting a community event
3. Experience working with underserved populations
4. Participation in a series of mandatory live study-related web-based trainings
5. Completes a research site agreement

Research Participants

1. Adults over the age of 18 years old in underserved populations
2. Able to speak and read English and/or Spanish
3. Have not completed an AD within the previous 5 years
4. All participants regardless of health status
5. Individuals from the same household can enroll

Exclusion Criteria Community Hosts

1. Inability to recruit 20 individuals from underserved populations
2. Inexperience for hosting a community event
3. Inexperience working with underserved populations
4. Unable to attend a series of mandatory live study-related web-based trainings
5. Do not provide informed consent
6. Do not complete a research site agreement
7. Previously hosted a Hello project event

Research Participants

1. Anyone \<18 years of age
2. Anyone not able to speak and read English and/or Spanish
3. Have significant difficulties with hearing or speaking difficulties by self-report
4. Completed an AD in the past 5 years
5. Do not provide informed consent

Where this trial is running

Athens, Alabama and 80 other locations

+31 more sites — see ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Advance Care Planning, Advance Directives, Terminal Illness, Chronic Illness, Communication, serious games

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.