Developing a Communication and Shared Decision Making Tool to Prepare Family Members in ICUs for the Role of Surrogate Decision Maker

Developing a Communication and Shared Decision Making Tool to Prepare Family Members in ICUs for the Role of Surrogate Decision Maker

Project Period: 07/01/2015 - 02/28/2017 PI: Douglas White, MD, MAS                    
Funding Source: National Institute on Aging R21
There are well-documented problems with clinician-family communication and end-of-life-care in ICUs. These deficiencies are associated with poorly informed treatment decisions, lasting psychological distress among patients surrogates, and high utilization of expensive, burdensome treatments. 
It is unlikely that a generalized intervention will be possible, so researchers instead propose a tool which enhances communications between surrogates and healthcare staff. 
Aim 1 of the study works with surrogates, clinicians and experts to design and develop the tool. 
Aim 2 of the study involves evaluations of the usability and acceptability of the prototype tool among surrogates, physicians, and nurses.
Aim 3 is a pilot randomized clinical trial to assess the intervention's impact on key elements of decision quality and patient-centeredness of care decisions.