What nurses and families think about family engagement in the Emergency Department

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This observational study collects interviews from ED nurses who are directly caring for patients and from family members of ED patients to describe current practices of family engagement. Researchers will analyze interview data to identify common themes about how families participate in care, communication, and decision-making in the ED. The study is conducted at Mayo Clinic locations and a regional partner, aiming to map practices and experiences rather than test an intervention. Participants include ED nurses with at least six months in the unit and family members aged 18 or older who are English-speaking. No interventions beyond interviews are performed, and the study seeks to understand real-world experiences to inform future improvements in family-centered ED care.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Nurses: Registered professional nurses, including those with a diploma, associate's degree, and baccalaureate degrees, who are in charge of the plan of care for the ED patient.

  * Nurses who have been working in that particular ED environment for at least 6 months.
  * Nurses involved in providing direct patient care (not managers).
  * Nurses who are employed by the institution of the research study, not agency staff.
* Family Members: a family member who expressed a sense of belonging to a patient admitted to the ED, or a person that a communicating patient had defined as family or being significant to the patient.

  * Family members who are present with a patient who is being seen in the ED for acute or chronic illness (1 family member to participate per patient).
  * Age 18 years or older
  * Able to speak and read in English (for the United States sample)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Nurses not caring for patients in the ED
* Family members who are not present in the ED with the patient.

Where it's running

• Mayo Clinic Health System Mankato Emergency Department
  Mankato, Minnesota, United States Recruiting
• Mayo Clinic Emergency Department
  Rochester, Minnesota, United States Recruiting
• Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
  Bennington, Vermont, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Natalie McAndrew, PhD,RN,CCRN — Mayo Clinic
• Study coordinator: Natalie McAndrew, PhD,RN,CCRN
• Email: mcandrew.natalie@mayo.edu
• Phone: 414-704-0876

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.