South Florida Residents Knowledge and Opinions on End-of-Life Issues

NCT01008241 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Project Hope
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 361
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

The goal of this cross-sectional study is to gain an understanding of the knowledge and attitudes regarding end of life issues and hospice care among a sample of residents of South Florida. This study is being conducted by 3rd year Osteopathic Medical Student (OMS-III)Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU COM) research fellow Heather Ruff as part of the research fellowship requirements. Participants will complete a paper and pencil questionnaire that measures 4 domains of interest (advanced care planning; end of life care; hospice care and death and dying) as well as demographic factors (age, marital status, education etc.). It is estimated that the survey will take 15 minutes to complete. Data will be collected anonymously, with no personal identifying information. The instructions on the questionnaire state that by completing the questionnaire, the participant is providing consent to participate in the study. We will use time and space sampling methods to recruit up to 250 participants at community venues (i.e., beaches, street corners, parks, pedestrian malls, and other public venues were people congregate) in South Florida. At each venue, we will define a specific area; persons who enter the defined area will be approached, screened for eligibility (18 years of age or older and a resident of South Florida), and if eligible, invited to participate by trained research staff. Sampling intervals will be determined by traffic flow at each venue. If a person agrees to participate they will be given a paper and pencil copy of the survey to complete on the spot. Participants will be given a token of appreciation. Data entry and data analyses will be done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).

Conditions

Death

Keywords

Hospice; End of Life; Knowledge; Attitudes; Opinions; Advanced Care Planning; Death and Dying; Communication

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• attitudes towards end of life issues

  brief attitude scale to document perceptions of end of life issues

  one time point

Study Arms (1)

Study Group

Convenience sample of adult residents of South Florida

Behavioral: Paper questionnaire

Interventions

Paper questionnaire BEHAVIORAL

Participants will complete a paper and pencil questionnaire that measures 4 domains of interest (advanced care planning; end of life care; hospice care and death and dying) as well as demographic factors (age, marital status, education etc.)

Study Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

adult residents of South Florida

You may qualify if:

• years of age or greater
• Resident of Broward or Miami-Dade counties

You may not qualify if:

• Less than 18 years of age
• Not currently residing in Broward or Miami-Dade counties

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Maria Isabel Fernandez: lead

Study Sites (2)

A variety of public venues in Broward County

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33314, United States

Location

A variety of public venues in Miami-Dade County

Miami, Florida, 33140, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Death; Behavior; Communication

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Pathologic Processes; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Heather M Ruff, B.S.

  Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Maria I Fernandez, Ph.D.

  Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine

  STUDY CHAIR

• Stephen Bowen, M.D., M.P.H.

  Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine

  STUDY CHAIR

• Robin J Jacobs, Ph.D.

  Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine

  STUDY CHAIR

• Hilary Gerber, B.S.

  Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: OTHER
• Time Perspective: OTHER
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Pre-Doctoral Behavioral Research Fellow College of Osteopathic Medicine

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 3, 2009
• First Posted: November 5, 2009
• Study Start: October 1, 2009
• Primary Completion: March 1, 2010
• Study Completion: March 1, 2010
• Last Updated: April 25, 2023

Record last verified: 2023-04

Locations

US (2)