A Decision Aid on End-of-life Care for Patients With Advanced COPD and Their Family

Summary

This study aims to support EOL decision-making in patients with advanced COPD and their family members. A parallel two-arm single-blinded randomised controlled trial will be conducted to evaluate the effects of a specific decision support intervention. A total of 226 patients with advanced COPD and their designated family members will be recruited from hospital wards and outpatient clinics.

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria of patients:

* are aged 50 years or over
* have been diagnosed with COPD
* are cognitively sound (scored \> 5 on the validated Abbreviated Mental Test (Hong Kong version) \[AMT-HK\])
* meet at least two of the six specific clinical indicators related to advanced COPD in the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Proactive Identification Guidance, 6th Edition
* can nominate a family member who would take part in their healthcare decision- making.

Inclusion Criteria of patients' family members:

* are aged 18 years or over,
* can communicate in Cantonese,
* have at least one personal contact per week with the patient in the past 6 months and
* are willing to join the study. Family members will be excluded if they score \< 6 on the AMT-HK or are expecting to leave Hong Kong within the next 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

* non-communicable due to a severe hearing impairment, dysphasia or a language barrier;
* are receiving palliative care services or
* have already completed ACP or an advance directive.

Conditions1