Project Talk Trial: Engaging Underserved Communities in End-of-life Conversations

Description

Compared to the general population, individuals from underserved communities are more likely to receive low quality end-of-life care and unwanted, costly and burdensome treatments due in part to a lack of advance care planning (ACP; the process of discussing wishes for end-of-life care with loved ones/clinicians and documenting them in advance directives). This study will use existing, trusted, and respected social networks to evaluate two conversation-based tools intended to engage underserved individuals in discussions about end-of-life issue and motivate them to carry out ACP behaviors. Through this study, investigators will learn how best to engage underserved populations in ACP so as to: 1) increase the likelihood that patients from underserved communities will receive high-quality end-of-life care; 2) address health disparities related to end-of-life treatments; and 3) reduce unnecessary suffering for patients and their families.

Conditions

Advance Care Planning, Advance Directives, Terminal Illness, Chronic Illness, Communication

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

Compared to the general population, individuals from underserved communities are more likely to receive low quality end-of-life care and unwanted, costly and burdensome treatments due in part to a lack of advance care planning (ACP; the process of discussing wishes for end-of-life care with loved ones/clinicians and documenting them in advance directives). This study will use existing, trusted, and respected social networks to evaluate two conversation-based tools intended to engage underserved individuals in discussions about end-of-life issue and motivate them to carry out ACP behaviors. Through this study, investigators will learn how best to engage underserved populations in ACP so as to: 1) increase the likelihood that patients from underserved communities will receive high-quality end-of-life care; 2) address health disparities related to end-of-life treatments; and 3) reduce unnecessary suffering for patients and their families.

Project Talk Trial: Engaging Underserved Communities in End-of-life Conversations: a Cluster, Randomized Controlled Trial

Project Talk Trial: Engaging Underserved Communities in End-of-life Conversations

Condition
Advance Care Planning
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Athens

Pincham-Lincoln Community Center, Athens, Alabama, United States, 35611

Tucson

El Rio Neighborhood Center, Tucson, Arizona, United States, 85745

Santa Paula

Promotores y Promotoras, Santa Paula, California, United States, 93060

Soledad

Our Lady of Solitude, Soledad, California, United States, 93960

Walnut Creek

Vitas, Walnut Creek, California, United States, 94590

Aurora

University of Colorado Hospital, Aurora, Colorado, United States, 80045

Montrose

HopeWest Montrose, Montrose, Colorado, United States, 81401

Washington

MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, District of Columbia, United States, 20020

Clearwater

High Point Neighborhood Family Center, Clearwater, Florida, United States, 33760

Tallahassee

St. Phillip AME Church, Tallahassee, Florida, United States, 32308

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

    Ages Eligible for Study

    18 Years to

    Sexes Eligible for Study

    ALL

    Accepts Healthy Volunteers

    Yes

    Collaborators and Investigators

    Milton S. Hershey Medical Center,

    Lauren J. Van Scoy, MD, PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center; Penn State University College of Medicine

    Study Record Dates

    2026-01-31