Virtual Family Participation for ICU Care
(VR-Family Trial)
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?
Barriers to family participation in ICU rounds exist at the health care system level (e.g., restriction on visitation, infection control) and the individual level (e.g., caretaker role, illness, disability, inability to miss work). While virtual family participation in ICU rounds may contribute to addressing these barriers, its feasibility, impact, and effectiveness are yet unknown. The primary objective of this study is to assess the feasibility of virtual family participation in adult ICU rounds. The secondary objectives are: to assess the effect size of virtual family participation in ICU rounds on family engagement, satisfaction, and anxiety and depression; and to explore family and physician experiences of family participation in ICU rounds.This will be a pilot prospective trial of 72 family members at 4 Canadian adult ICUs, with an embedded qualitative study that will sample family members and critical care physicians. The primary outcome will reflect feasibility metrics (i.e., recruitment, uptake, technical, and follow-up). Secondary outcomes include data regarding family engagement, satisfaction, mental health, and perceived experiences of participation in ICU rounds. This study will assess the feasibility of conducting a larger, hypothesis-testing randomized controlled trial to assess virtual family participation in adult ICU rounds.
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for adults over 18 who are family members of ICU patients expected to stay in the ICU for more than 48 hours. Participants must have the tech skills and equipment (phone or computer with internet, audio/video) to join virtual ICU rounds and communicate in English or French.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Study participants will be present during daily ICU team rounds by secure video conference
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for family satisfaction, anxiety, depression, and engagement within 1-week of ICU discharge
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Participation in virtual rounds
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Lady Davis Institute
Lead Sponsor
Quebec Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) SUPPORT Unit
Collaborator
Fonds de la Recherche en Santé du Québec
Collaborator
McGill Faculty of Medicine
Collaborator
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Collaborator
Unité de Soutien SSA Québec
Collaborator