Exploring how awareness of mortality affects treatment choices in urological cancer
Impact of Mortality Salience on Treatment Decisions
This study is testing if thinking about death affects how patients and doctors choose treatments for urological cancer.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 520 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Heinrich-Heine University, Duesseldorf Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Düsseldorf) |
| Trial ID | NCT06545188 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the influence of mortality salience on treatment decisions made by urologists and patients with urological cancer. It aims to determine whether triggering thoughts about mortality leads to more aggressive treatment choices. The study involves two randomized controlled trials: one with urological patients and another with urologists, using surveys to assess decision-making tendencies. Participants will respond to questions designed to evoke mortality awareness and indicate their likelihood of choosing aggressive therapies.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include urological cancer patients aged 18 and older who are fluent in German and have the cognitive ability to consent.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have urological cancer or lack the capacity to consent may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could help reduce harmful overtreatment in urological cancer by addressing the unconscious fears influencing treatment decisions.
How similar studies have performed: While the concept of mortality salience influencing decision-making is established, this specific approach in urological cancer treatment decisions is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Study 1) Urologists Inclusion Criteria: * sufficient cognitive ability * German language skills Exclusion Criteria: * none Study 2) Patients Inclusion Criteria: * urological cancer (ICD-10: C60, C61, C62, C63, C64, C65, C66, C67, C68) * age at least 18 years * German language skills * sufficient cognitive ability * capacity to consent Exclusion Criteria: * none
Where this trial is running
Düsseldorf
- University Hospital Düsseldorf, Department of Urology — Düsseldorf, Germany (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Dominik Fugmann, Dr. med. — Heinrich Heine University Duesseldorf, Germany
- Study coordinator: Dominik Fugmann, Dr. med.
- Email: dominik.fugmann@med.uni-duesseldorf.de
- Phone: +49 211 81 17354
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.