Empathetic Communication for Patient Preference

Overseen By Clinical Trials Referral Office

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Mayo Clinic

Disqualifiers: Dementia, Bipolar, Psychotic disorders, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores patients' preferences for empathetic communication by comparing responses when they know the source is either AI or a human, and when the source is unknown. Participants will complete surveys that either reveal or hide the origin of the statements. The study seeks individuals receiving palliative care who have been diagnosed with any type of cancer. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding communication preferences in palliative care.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Is empathetic communication for patient preference generally safe for humans?

The research articles provided do not contain specific safety data about empathetic communication for patient preference or related treatments like Survey. They focus on communication practices and patient preferences rather than safety outcomes. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it aims to explore how empathetic communication can influence patient preferences by using innovative survey methods. Unlike traditional approaches that don't always consider the role of information transparency, this trial examines the impact of blinding participants to the origin of survey statements versus informing them. This could reveal how much knowing the source of information affects patient decisions, potentially leading to more effective doctor-patient communication strategies and improved patient satisfaction.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Survey in the clinical trial Empathetic Communication for Patient Preference?

The research suggests that patient-centered communication, which involves understanding and incorporating patient preferences, is a key component of high-quality healthcare. Although there is no direct evidence about the treatment Survey, the emphasis on patient-centered communication could imply that treatments focusing on patient preferences may improve patient experiences and outcomes. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

April Christensen, MD, MS

Principal Investigator

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals interested in participating in a study about communication preferences. There are no specific inclusion or exclusion criteria provided, which suggests that the study may be open to a broad adult population.

Inclusion Criteria

I am over 18, seeing a palliative care doctor, and have been diagnosed with cancer.

Exclusion Criteria

I am able to understand and consent to my own medical treatment.

Major psychiatric disorders including, but not limited to, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, active substance use disorder, and patients with active suicidal or homicidal thoughts. NOTE: Patients with history of normal grieving reactions, major unipolar depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder or generalized anxiety disorder would NOT be excluded

Inability to read in English

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Survey

Participants complete a survey to assess preference patterns for empathetic communication

1 day

1 visit (in-person or virtual)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for any changes in preference patterns after the survey

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Survey

Trial Overview The trial is testing patient preferences for empathetic communication authored by AI versus humans. Participants will likely take surveys where they'll evaluate messages without knowing who wrote them and then again with that knowledge.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Survey Group - Unblinded Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be informed of origin of survey statements

Group II: Survey Group - Blinded Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be blinded to origin of survey statements

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Mayo Clinic

Lead Sponsor

Trials

3,427

Recruited

3,221,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A survey of 433 physicians and 1,000 American adults revealed a significant disagreement on the timing of medical safety communications, with physicians generally opposing early signal postings while the public favored them.

Over 25% of the public indicated they would stop taking their medication if they found it listed on the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System, highlighting the need for better communication strategies that consider public perception and understanding.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transparency and the Food and Drug Administration--a quantitative study. Lofstedt, R., Bouder, F., Chakraborty, S.[2013]

Citations

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A new, brief questionnaire (PEQ) developed in primary health care for measuring patients' experience of interaction, emotion and consultation outcome. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient-centered communication: do patients really prefer it? [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

There is Little or No Association Between Independently Assessed Communication Strategies and Patient Ratings of Clinician Empathy. [2023]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Measuring patient-centered communication in patient-physician consultations: theoretical and practical issues. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Making better decisions: from measuring to constructing preferences. [2022]

6. Japan pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient Preference for Aggressive Medication Therapies with Potentially Stronger Adverse Drug Reactions Revealed Using a Scenario-based Survey. [2017]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transparency and the Food and Drug Administration--a quantitative study. [2013]

8. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse drug reactions: when the risk becomes a reality for patients. [2021]

9. New Zealand pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Do physicians communicate the adverse effects of medications that older patients want to hear? [2022]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

How should effectiveness of risk communication to aid patients' decisions be judged? A review of the literature. [2019]