Using motivational interviewing to improve advance care planning for older adults after emergency visits

Maximizing Teachable Moments: Motivational Interviewing (MI) to Enhance Advance Care Planning (ACP) for Older Adults and Caregivers After Emergency Visits - A Mixed-Method Randomized Controlled Trial

Not applicable Interventional The University of Hong Kong · NCT06090240

This study is testing whether motivational interviewing can help older adults who recently visited the emergency room make better plans for their future healthcare.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment376 (estimated)
SexAll
SponsorThe University of Hong Kong Academic / other
Locations1 site (Hong Kong)
Trial IDNCT06090240 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a motivational interviewing (MI) intervention aimed at enhancing advance care planning (ACP) among older adults who have visited the Emergency Room in the past six months, along with their family caregivers. Participants in the intervention group will receive personalized MI sessions, while the control group will only receive a self-education booklet. The study will assess the completion rates of advance directives over three follow-up points: 3, 6, and 12 months post-intervention. The goal is to empower older adults to engage in ACP following their ER visits.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include older adults aged 65 or older who have had an ER visit in the last six months and have a family caregiver present.

Not a fit: Patients who have already completed an advance directive or have moderate to severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly increase the completion rates of advance directives among older adults, ensuring their healthcare preferences are respected.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that motivational interviewing can be effective in similar contexts, suggesting potential for success in this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
The target group will be dyads comprising older adults who have had ER visits within the previous six months and their family caregivers. A dyad is defined as one older adult and one primary family caregiver of the older adult.

For older adults:

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 65 or older
* At least one episode of ER visit in the last six months
* Has a family caregiver to be present during the intervention
* Able to communicate in Chinese

Exclusion Criteria:

* Has completion of an AD
* Moderate to severe cognitive impairment or diagnosis of dementia, as identified in health records
* Communication problems (e.g., deafness or aphasia)

For family caregivers:

Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 18 or above
* Immediate or extended family member or friend nominated by an eligible older adult participant as primary caregiver
* Able to communicate in Chinese

Exclusion Criteria:

* Moderate to severe cognitive impairment
* Communication problems (e.g., deafness or aphasia)

Where this trial is running

Hong Kong

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.
Conditions Older AdultsAdvance Care PlanningAdvance DirectivesFamily Members
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.