Hear My Voice: A Chaplain-Led Spiritual Legacy Pilot Study for Patients with Advanced Diseases

Overview

About this study

The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility, and the strengths and weaknesses of using an innovative chaplain-led spiritual interview with participants who have progressive neurologic conditions, end stage renal disease, and other advanced diseases with the purpose of creating a Spiritual Legacy Document (SLD) for them; to identify spiritual themes expressed in the interviews; to describe the spiritual well-being, spiritual coping strategies, and QOL of the primary participants and their designated support persons with validated questionnaires at enrollment and after two weeks after being interviewed and two weeks after receiving their SLD; to describe the investigators’ growth in understanding the spirituality of the participant groups and their suggestions for applying their learning to promote excellence in patient care.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria:

Adults, 18 years of age or older
Capable of completing questionnaires and participating in the intervention interview in the opinion of a member of the health care team.
Primary participants must be willing to nominate one supportive person (e.g., spouse, partner, family member, or friend) who he/she trusts with spiritual matters, who accepts the patient’s nomination to be contacted by research personnel about the study

Phase 1

Patients with progressive neurologic conditions, such as primary brain tumors, brain metastases, neurodegenerative disorders, or progressive neurologic illnesses

Phase 2

Additional patients will include those with a diagnosis of end stage renal disease (who are ineligible for kidney transplant) and are currently receiving renal dialysis, or patients with advanced disease being seen by the Palliative Care Services, as well as those who self-refer or are referred from other medical services.

Exclusion Criteria:

Health status or verbal ability that would interfere with informed consent or completion of the interview without a proxy, including those who do not read and speak English.
Stated unwillingness or inability to complete the follow up assessments.
Individuals who are psychiatric inpatients and those for whom there are concerns about harm to self or others.

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location	Status
Rochester, Minn. Mayo Clinic principal investigator Cory Ingram, M.D.	Closed for enrollment

Mayo Clinic Location

Status

Rochester, Minn.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Cory Ingram, M.D.

Closed for enrollment

More information

Publications

Publications are currently not available

Clinical Trials