Artificial Intelligence-Generated Written Communication for Families of Intensive Care Unit Patients

Launched by RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · May 7, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new way to help families of patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay informed about their loved ones’ care. Researchers have created a method to provide families with daily written summaries that explain the patient's main health issues and the treatment plan. This written communication is intended to support the regular conversations families have with healthcare providers. The challenge has been that it takes a lot of time for doctors and nurses to write these summaries. In this pilot study, ICU clinicians will choose patients and their families who have faced communication difficulties and will edit summaries generated by artificial intelligence (AI) before sharing them with families. The goal is to see if this approach is acceptable and manageable for both clinicians and families.

To participate in this study, families must have an adult decision-maker who can speak English and is involved in the care of a patient in the ICU. The ICU team must believe the patient will need at least three more days of care and that there have been communication challenges, like complex medical issues or difficulties in reaching family members. Clinicians involved in the study will include advanced practice providers, who work closely with patients in the ICU. This study is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to improve communication and reduce stress for families during a challenging time.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Surrogate Inclusion
• • One self-identified adult decision maker for an adult medical ICU patient cared for on the 10W ICU
• • Member of the primary ICU team believes the respective patient will require at least three additional days of ICU care
• * Member of the primary ICU team has identified at least one communication challenge with the patient's surrogate(s) including but not limited to:
• • 1. Complex medical issues requiring frequent updates to families
• • 2. Complex family dynamics (i.e., multiple involved family members)
• • 3. Increased anxiety/stress of surrogate(s)
• • 4. Difficult to provide updates to family members because they do not visit ICU regularly or are hard to reach by phone
• • Surrogate Exclusion
• • Surrogate cannot read or understand English
• • Surrogate is unwilling or unable to participate in study procedures
• • Patient is decisional and refuses to allow surrogate participation
• • Clinician Inclusion • Advanced practice provider (APP) on the medical ICU team on the 10W ICU
• • Clinician Exclusion
• • • None