Using a patient portal to improve advance care planning for people with cognitive impairment
A Portal-based Advance Care Planning Intervention Among Community-Dwelling Persons Living With Cognitive Impairment
This study is testing whether a new online tool can help people with cognitive impairment have better conversations about their care preferences before their doctor visits.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Wake Forest University Health Sciences Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) |
| Trial ID | NCT06509373 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This research examines the feasibility of a patient portal-based advance care planning (ACP) tool called ACPVoice, aimed at enhancing ACP discussions and documentation for individuals living with cognitive impairment. The study involves sending the ACP tool along with a motivational message through the patient portal prior to routine primary care visits. The goal is to determine if this approach can facilitate better communication and documentation of patients' care preferences in their electronic health records.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are individuals aged 65 and older with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia who have an active patient portal account.
Not a fit: Patients living in long-term care facilities or those with severe vision impairment may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could lead to improved advance care planning discussions and better alignment of care with patients' preferences.
How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using digital tools for advance care planning is gaining traction, this specific intervention is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in similar populations.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 65 years old and older * Diagnosis of recognized or probable mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia or elevated eRADAR score * Completed visit with their primary care provider (PCP) within the past 12 months and have upcoming PCP visit in next 6 months * Have an active patient portal account Exclusion Criteria: * Lives in a long-term care facility * Severe vision impairment/blindness (as they need to be able to read portal messages) * Enrolled in hospice * Lacks decisional capacity as deemed by PCP
Where this trial is running
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jennifer Gabbard, MD — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Jennifer Gabbard, MD
- Email: jgabbard@wakehealth.edu
- Phone: 336-716-8028
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.