Hospital study tests 'Bonding Bundle' to boost doctor empathy

NCT ID NCT06354920

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study tested whether a set of simple strategies, called the Bonding Bundle, could help doctors build better relationships with their hospitalized patients. Nearly 1,000 patients and their doctors took part. Doctors in the intervention group were asked to use specific approaches during patient visits, while the control group provided care as usual. The goal was to see if these strategies could improve doctors' empathy and patients' perception of their care.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Bonding Bundle (a set of behavioral strategies for doctors)

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward simple ways to improve doctor-patient relationships in hospitals, potentially leading to better patient care and satisfaction.

What could go wrong

This is a completed behavioral study, not a drug trial. The results may show only small improvements or none, and the strategies may not work in all hospital settings or with all doctors.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Michigan

    Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States

  • VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System

    Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48109, United States