Using motivational interviewing to improve advance care planning for older adults after emergency visits
Official title: 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
Run by The University of Hong Kong · NCT06090240 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 300 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | The University of Hong Kong Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Hong Kong) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 14, 2023 |
| Main results expected | July 31, 2026 |
| Study ends | July 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 2, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06090240 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who have already completed an advance directive or have moderate to severe cognitive impairments may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: Previous studies have shown that motivational interviewing can be effective in similar contexts, suggesting potential for success in this approach.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
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University of Hong Kong, School of Nursing
Hong Kong, Hong Kong Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Chia-Chin LIN, PhD,FAAN,RN — University of Hong Kong, School of Nursing
- Study coordinator: Chia-Chin LIN, PhD,FAAN,RN
- Email: cclin@hku.hk
- Phone: 852-3917-6600
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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.