RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Clinical Trial Recruitment and Retention Strategies for Family Members in the ICU

This research aims to find better ways to involve and keep family members in studies about people in intensive care units (ICU). Doctors and researchers want to make sure these studies are as good as possible, so they are testing different approaches to encourage families to take part and continue their involvement. The study will try out four different strategies – two focused on getting families to join, and two on helping them stay involved until the end. These strategies will be added into three existing studies that already work with families in the ICU. The main things the researchers will measure are how many families join after being asked, and how many of those families complete the whole study.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Lady Davis Institute

Enrolment target

160

Start

01 May 2024

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2026

Family Members Recruitment Clinical Study Retention Recruitment of Participants Study Enrollment Retention of Participants Compensation Incentives

What is this study about?

This study is all about making medical research better, especially when it involves families of patients in intensive care units (ICU). Families play a really important role when someone is seriously ill, and doctors want to understand how best to support them and involve them in care. However, it can be tricky to get families to join research studies and stay involved, which makes it harder to gather the information needed to improve care.

So, this research team is looking for the best ways to encourage families to take part in these vital studies and see them through to the end. They're going to try out different methods – for example, giving families colourful information sheets when they're asked to join, or offering small gifts to thank them for their time. These methods will be tested within three ongoing studies that already involve families of ICU patients.

The idea is to learn what works best so that future research can be more successful. Ultimately, by finding better ways to involve families in research, we can gather more valuable insights. This will help doctors and nurses develop and improve ways to support families and patients during very difficult times in the ICU.

Key takeaways

This study helps improve how families join medical research in the ICU.
It tests different ways of inviting and supporting families in studies.
Participation will not affect your loved one's medical care.
It aims to make future family research more successful and helpful.
You can speak English or French to participate.
You can choose to leave the study at any point.

Who may be eligible?

To be able to take part in this study, the main things are that you must have a family member currently in an intensive care unit (ICU).

Your family member is expected to stay in the hospital for more than two days (48 hours), and you should be comfortable communicating in either English or French.

You won't be able to join if another family member is already taking part in this specific study, or if your loved one has been admitted to the hospital multiple times during the study period.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Do you have a family member currently in intensive care (ICU)?
Is your family member expected to stay in the hospital for more than 2 days?
Can you comfortably speak and understand English or French?
Is no other family member of yours already taking part in this specific study?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study is looking at different ways to encourage families to take part in research, rather than directly testing new treatments or medicines. If you are eligible and agree to take part, you'll be involved in one of three existing studies that are already running for families of ICU patients. You might, for example, receive information about the study in a specific way – perhaps a colourful leaflet – when you're first asked to join. You might also be offered something small, like a gift card, to thank you for your time and involvement. The researchers will simply be observing how many people join and how many stay involved in the study they've already agreed to be part of. The total duration of your participation would depend on the length of the specific study you join.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study does not involve any medical treatments or changes to your family member's care. The direct benefit for you might be receiving clearer information about research or a thank you for your time. The main benefit of this study is for future families, as it will help researchers learn how to better involve people in important medical studies. There are very few risks involved, as the study focuses on how information is given and how people are thanked, rather than medical interventions. You are always free to decide not to take part or to withdraw from the study at any time, without it affecting your family member's care.

Locations (1)

Jewish General Hospital
Verified postcode
Montreal, Canada· Recruiting

Common questions

What kind of families are you looking for?

We are looking for family members of patients who are currently in intensive care units (ICU) and are expected to be there for more than two days.

Will this study affect my family member's treatment?

No, this study only looks at how families are invited and supported in other research studies. It will not affect your family member's medical care or treatment in any way.

Do I need to speak English?

You need to be able to communicate comfortably in either English or French to take part.

What will I have to do if I join?

You will be asked to join an existing study for families of ICU patients, and the researchers will observe if the way you were invited or thanked influenced your participation. You won't be given new medicines or treatments as part of this specific study.

Can I leave the study at any time?

Yes, you have the right to decide not to take part or to withdraw from the study at any point, and your decision will not affect your family member's care.

How to find out more

Jillian Kifell, MSc

jillian.kifell.ccomtl@ssss.gouv.qc.ca 5143408222 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.