Virtual peer support to enhance quality of life for veterans with multiple health conditions
Telehealth-delivered Peer Support to Improve Quality of Life Among Veterans With Multimorbidity
NA · VA Office of Research and Development · NCT05560451
This study tests if virtual health coaching from fellow veterans can help improve the quality of life for veterans dealing with multiple health issues.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 294 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA Office of Research and Development (fed) |
| Locations | 1 site (Seattle, Washington) |
| Trial ID | NCT05560451 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The VetASSIST program is a randomized clinical trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual health coaching provided by Veteran peers to improve the health-related quality of life for Veterans suffering from multimorbidity. Participants will receive one-on-one coaching sessions focused on self-management, goal setting, and overcoming barriers to health. The study will compare the outcomes of those receiving this peer support intervention against a control group receiving usual care over a 12-month period. Key outcomes include changes in physical and mental health quality of life, as well as healthcare utilization metrics.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Veterans receiving primary care from VA Puget Sound who have complex multimorbidity involving three or more chronic conditions across different body systems.
Not a fit: Patients who do not meet the criteria for multimorbidity or those who are not Veterans may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly enhance the quality of life for Veterans with multiple chronic health conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promising results with peer support interventions for chronic conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Veteran patient receiving primary care from VA Puget Sound * Complex multimorbidity (\>=3 chronic conditions in \>=3 body systems based on AHRQ Chronic Condition Index) * Meets \>=2 criterion from NICE multimorbidity guidelines: 1) have a chronic physical and mental health condition (via ICD-10 codes in CDW and the CCI); 2) frailty (determined by the JEN Frailty Index available in VA data, confirmed via self-reported PRISMA-7 during the eligibility screening; 3) frequent emergency care (\>=1 VA emergency department visit in past year via CDW); 4) polypharmacy (\>=10 prescribed medications via CDW), or 5) significant treatment burden (score \>22 on the self-reported Multimorbidity Treatment Burden Questionnaire at study screening). * Inclusion criteria assessed via the phone screen includes frailty; treatment burden; and willingness to use a either a phone or an Internet-connected device with a web camera and an email address and/or ability to receive text messages to ensure receipt of VVC visit links. * Agree to participate in the health coaching sessions and surveys if assigned to intervention group Exclusion Criteria: * Not fluent in English * Severe hearing loss * No phone access and/or missing phone number * Missing address * Diagnosis of dementia or severe cognitive impairment within last year * Diagnosis of end stage renal disease or on dialysis within last year * Receipt of palliative or hospice care in the past year * Receipt of nursing home care in past year (Stop codes: 650, 651,119,121) * Currently living in a nursing home, skilled nursing facility, rehabilitation facility, or long-term care facility * Behavior flags in EHR * Active treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer diagnosis * Diagnosis of substance use dependence/abuse disorder in last year (excluding tobacco) * Diagnosis of psychotic disorder in last year * Pregnant or planning to become pregnant in next 6 months * Score of \>8 (severe risk) on self-reported AUDIT-C questions on eligibility screen
Where this trial is running
Seattle, Washington
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division, Seattle, WA — Seattle, Washington, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kristen E. Gray, PhD MS BS — VA Puget Sound Health Care System Seattle Division, Seattle, WA
- Study coordinator: Kristen E Gray, PhD MS BS
- Email: Kristen.Gray2@va.gov
- Phone: (206) 764-2056
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.
Conditions: Multimorbidity, Peer health coaching, Health-related quality of life, Veterans, Self-management, Social support, Multiple chronic conditions, Telemedicine