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

NCT ID NCT04931797

Ongoing Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Massachusetts General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for EMERGENCIES are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

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.

EMERGENCIES

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

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.