Communication management: a trial comparing two strategies for information communication to patients
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN01508870 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN01508870 |
| Protocol serial number | 05/2013 |
| Sponsor | Donostia University Hospital (Hospital Universitario Donostia) (Spain) |
| Funder | Donostia University Hospital (Hospital Universitario Donostia) (Spain) |
- Submission date
- 13/11/2013
- Registration date
- 29/11/2013
- Last edited
- 29/11/2013
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
In health care, no less than in other aspects of life, we live in an age in which technology can give us almost immediate access to an overwhelming amount of information. But communication involves more than access to information. It comprises the transmission of information, thoughts and feelings, so that it is perceived and understood satisfactorily.
The aim of this study is to compare two strategies for information communication to patients.
Who can participate?
Men and women admitted to Donostia University Hospital chronic patient service.
What does the study involve?
Over the period of one year participants will be invited to participate in this study and they will be randomly allocated to one of the two strategies.
The first strategy is the current communication in Donostia University Hospital
The second strategy is based on the existence of a nurse communication manager. This nurse manager is responsible for reconciling the transmission of information between doctors and patients on admission and discharge. The schedule of the nurse manager will be from 8:00 to 15:00.
At the end of the study we will compare the emotional distress, the number of contradictory messages detected and the perceived communication quality measured by a questionnaire between the two strategies.
What are the possible benefits and risk of participating?
Participants will benefit from better disease information and possibly a reduction in emotional distress.
Participation in this study does not involve any additional risk.
Where is the study run from?
The study will run from Donostia University Hospital (Spain).
When is study starting and how long is expected to run for?
The study is expected to start at the end of November 2013. Participants will be enrolled for a period of one year.
Who is funding the study?
Donostia University Hospital (Spain)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Jose Ignacio Emparanza
Contact information
Scientific
Pº Doctor Beguiristain 107-115
San Sebastian-Donostia
20014
Spain
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomized controlled clinical trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial comparing two strategies for information communication to patients |
| Study objectives | The existence of an information manger that standardizes the information transmission (change of service, discharged home) will decrease emotional distress or discomfort and improve communication quality perceived by the patient. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Guipuzcoa Health Area, 22/05/2013 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Emotional distress |
| Intervention | Control group: this group will be subject to the current communication strategy in Donostia University Hospital. Experimental group: this strategy is based on the existence of a nurse communication manager. This nurse manager is responsible for reconciling the transmission of information between doctors and patients on admission and discharge. The schedule of the nurse manager will be from 8:00 to 15:00. For reconciliation to be as homogeneous as possible between the various nurse managers there will be a written document to follow. Intervention lasted till discharge. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
1. Emotional distress measured by the distress thermometer. Quantitative variable is measured at entry and exit from the study. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
Perceived communication quality measured by a questionnaire, communication assessment tool. Quantitative variable will be measured at the end of the study. |
| Completion date | 29/11/2014 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 30 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Patients, male and female aged over 18 years admitted to Donostia University Hospital chronic patient service. |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Already included in another trial 2. Patients with moderate or severe dementia |
| Date of first enrolment | 29/11/2013 |
| Date of final enrolment | 29/11/2014 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Spain
Study participating centre
20014
Spain
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not provided at time of registration |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
