I CAN DO: Surgical Advance Care Planning
Official title: I CAN DO Surgical ACP (Improving Completion, Accuracy, and Dissemination of Surgical Advanced Care Planning) Trial
Run by University of California, San Francisco · NCT06090552 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether giving people aged 65 and older who are having elective surgery a letter, easy-to-read advance directive forms, access to the PREPARE website, reminders, and optional navigator support will increase advance care planning and documentation.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 6000 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Francisco Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Irvine, California and 2 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | February 26, 2025 |
| Main results expected | August 31, 2028 |
| Study ends | August 31, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | August 11, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06090552 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults age 65 or older referred for elective surgical evaluation at participating sites who do not already have a recent advance care plan on file and have not previously been enrolled in the trial.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who already have an advance care plan documented within the study's timeframe, those not receiving elective surgery at a participating center, or those unreachable by mail/phone/email are unlikely to benefit from the intervention.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Adults aged 65+ referred for elective surgery are randomized to one of three groups with increasing levels of ACP support: mailed materials and PREPARE website access; the same plus automated reminder messages; or the same plus reminders and one-on-one support from a healthcare navigator. The intervention is integrated into the EHR-centered pre-surgery workflow and all intervention patients complete a patient-reported ACP engagement survey. The primary outcome is clinically meaningful ACP documentation in the medical record, and the study tests whether documentation increases with intervention intensity. Key exclusions are having a recent ACP on file or prior randomization during the study period, and the trial is conducted at UCSF, UCI, and the University of Minnesota.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more patients' care preferences would be documented before surgery so clinicians can honor their wishes during urgent or complex decisions.
How similar studies have gone: PREPARE-based interventions have shown promise in prior work for increasing patient engagement in ACP, though embedding PREPARE into EHR preoperative workflows with automated reminders and navigator support is less well tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: \- Older Adults (age 65+) referred for surgical evaluation Exclusion Criteria: 1. ACP on file within 3 years prior to surgery (UCSF and UCI) and 5 years (UMN) 2. Was previously randomized into intervention for a prior surgery during the 18-month study period
Where it's running
-
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, California, United States Recruiting -
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, California, United States Recruiting -
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Elizabeth Wick, MD — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Elizabeth Wick, MD
- Email: Elizabeth.wick@ucsf.edu
- Phone: 415-353-2357
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.