ER video aims to get seniors talking about End-of-Life wishes

NCT ID NCT04931797

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether showing a short video about advance care planning to older adults in the emergency room can increase the number of people who officially document their healthcare wishes. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital are enrolling 900 adults aged 65+ (or 50+ with serious illness) and randomly assigning them to watch the video or read an information sheet. The goal is to see if the video leads to more conversations and formal records of patients' preferences.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

video decision aid

What this could lead to

If it works, this could give hospitals a simple way to help more people record their healthcare preferences before a crisis.

What could go wrong

This is a behavioral study, not a drug trial. The video may not change actual documentation rates, and results may not apply outside the ER setting.

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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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Emergencies

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States

  • Newton Wellesley Hospital

    Newton, Massachusetts, 02468, United States

  • UC Davis

    Davis, California, 95616, United States