Can a simple conversation ease grief after a sudden ER death?
NCT ID NCT06733974
First seen Jul 17, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026
Summary
This trial tests whether a support package for relatives of patients dying in the emergency department can lower the risk of prolonged grief disorder. The package includes a meeting with the healthcare team, written information on palliative care, proactive communication, a dedicated interview and brochure after the death, and optional psychological follow-up. About 924 adult relatives will take part, and their grief and PTSD symptoms will be measured at 3 and 6 months.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a support package including a meeting with healthcare staff, written information on palliative care, proactive communication, a dedicated interview, a brochure, and optional psychological follow-up
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this approach could reduce the risk of prolonged grief and PTSD in family members who lose a loved one in the emergency department.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively early trial in a specific setting, and the intervention may not significantly reduce grief compared to standard care. Results may not apply to all emergency departments or family situations.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 924 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: \- Relative of a patient, that is dying in the ED, defined by an anticipated life expectancy of less than 72H with previous do not resuscitate order or treatment withholding. If several relative are present, participation to the trial will be offered in priority to the patient's trustworthy person, the relative most involved in the patient's care, the partner, a parent or child, another family member. * Age \>= 18 years * Agrees to be followed-up by phone interview at 3 and 6 months * Informed oral consent * Relative with health insurance (except AME). Exclusion Criteria: * Relative of a patient under 18 years of age * Relative who do not understand, read, or speak French * Relatives of organ donor patients (these relatives benefit from specific support and communication by the transplant coordination teams) * Inability to follow up * Participation in another intervention trial * Relative under legal protection (tutorship or curatorship) * Relative deprived of their liberty by a judicial or administrative decision * Relative physically unable to give his/her oral consent
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Emergency Department Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière
RECRUITINGParis, Paris, 75013, France