Digital CHW Support for Heart Failure

Overseen By Anne Walton, RN

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital

Disqualifiers: Cognitive deficits, Lack of insurance, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

56 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this study is to assess the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of implementing a 30-day digitally-enabled community health worker intervention compared to usual care with a community health worker in reducing heart failure 30-day readmissions within a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Research Team

Jocelyn Carter, MD, MPH

Principal Investigator

Massachusetts General Hospital

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 with heart failure who speak English, live within 30 miles of MGH, have a smartphone they use, and are under a cardiologist or primary care provider's care. It's not for those without health insurance, cognitive issues preventing engagement, or who rely on a health proxy.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 18 years old or older.

Current use and ownership of a smart phone

I have been diagnosed with heart failure.

Exclusion Criteria

Lack of health insurance

Invoked health proxy or guardianship status

I have difficulty thinking or remembering that makes it hard for me to use digital devices or interact with people.

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Digitally-enabled CHW Care
• Usual CHW Care

Trial Overview The study compares two types of support for heart failure patients: one using digitally-enabled community health workers and the other using standard community worker care. The goal is to see if digital tools can better prevent hospital readmissions within 30 days after discharge.

Participant Groups

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Patients identified by the MGH readmission database and the EHR as eligible for the study will be enrolled. Participants will be paired with a community health worker and oriented to the digital platform ( mobile app, digital weight scale, digital blood pressure monitor, biosensor with armband). Participants will have access to the community health worker and the digital platform throughout the 30-day study interval.

Group II: Usual CHW Care Active Control 1 Intervention

Patients identified by the MGH readmission database and the EHR as eligible for the study will be enrolled. Participants will be paired with a community health worker. Participants will have access to the community health worker throughout the 30-day study interval.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Massachusetts General Hospital

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,066

Recruited

13,430,000+

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Collaborator

Trials

3,987

Recruited

47,860,000+