Mitigating Racial Disparities in Shared Decision Making in the Intensive Care Unit
Duke University
Summary
This is a non randomized pilot trial aimed to: Test the feasibility of an intervention to support intensive care unit clinicians in conducting shared decision making conversations with families of patients with acute respiratory failure. The goal of this intervention is to mitigate racial disparities in shared decision making.
Description
The care of critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure involves life-or-death decisions. Ideally, intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians should include patients or their families in shared decision making, which promotes goal-concordant care (i.e., care aligned with patients' preferences), reduces psychological distress for both families and clinicians, and shortens ICU length of stay. However, racial disparities have been documented in shared decision making and associated outcomes. In outpatient settings, clinicians treat Black patients differently from White patients, providing fe…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Physician inclusion criterion: \- ICU attending physician with at least 6 weeks of clinical service time in the 12 months preceding and following enrollment Physician exclusion criterion: \- Board certified in palliative care medicine Patient inclusion criteria: * Admitted to the ICU * Being treated by a study physician currently and at least for the next 48 hours * ≥ 18 years of age upon admission to hospital * Mechanically ventilated ≥ 4 days Patient exclusion criterion: * Tracheostomy tube present or decision to pursue tracheostomy within next 7 days * Has decision making capacity as…
Interventions
- BehavioralShared decision making tip sheet
Physicians will view tip sheets containing best practices for shared decision making with diverse families.
Location
- Duke University Medical CenterDurham, North Carolina