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African Americans (AA) Communities Speak Study

This study, called "AA Communities Speak," is looking at a training program for healthcare professionals. This program, called "AA Communities Speak to Healthcare Professionals," uses storytelling videos from the community, guidelines for culturally sensitive care, and training to recognize and manage unconscious biases. The goal is to help clinicians better understand and provide end-of-life (EoL) care that matches the wishes of African American patients. You may be able to join if you are an African American adult aged 60 or older, speak English, and have a serious illness like cancer, heart disease, or a neuro-degenerative disease. The study will measure how well the training improves "Human Connection" between patients/families and healthcare providers, both before and after the training.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 60 participants. The specific design details like randomization or blinding are not specified.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
The Human Connection Scale will be measured up to 3 months before the intervention and up to 3 months after the intervention.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT05908487

African Americans (AA) Communities Speak

Recruiting
NAAll AgesInterventionalHealth services
University of Alabama at Birmingham
~60 participants
Updated 2026-05-07 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:AA Communities Speak to Healthcare Professionals

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Human Connection Scale (patient/family reported)
Measured over up to 3 months before the intervention
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

Healthy Aging
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Social Responsibility
Care Eliciting Behavior
Racism, Systemic

Explore related trials

Healthy AgingSerious Illness

Where it's being run

2 sites across 2 states
Alabama1
New York1

Study leadership

  • Jennifer Tjia, MD, MSCE · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Massachusetts, Worcester

Who to contact

Ronit Elk, PhD
[email protected]
205.996.1702
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Self-identified as African American (i.e., born, raised, and lived primarily in the US)
Non-Hispanic or Latino
Age ≥60 years
English-speaking
Has been diagnosed with a condition that fits into one of 3 illness paradigms including cancer, cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, neuro-degenerative disease, renal disease, stroke, sepsis, hepatic disease)
Callahan Six-Item Screener score ≥4
Able to complete baseline surveys.
Self-identified as African American (i.e., born, raised, and lived primarily in the US)
Non-Hispanic or Latino
Age ≥60 years
English-speaking
Loved one dies in the last 12 months and was diagnosed with a condition that fits into one of 3 illness paradigms including cancer, cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, neuro- degenerative disease, renal disease, stroke, sepsis, hepatic disease)
Callahan Six-Item Screener score ≥4
Able to complete baseline surveys.
Self-identified as African American (i.e., born, raised, and lived primarily in the US)
Non-Hispanic or Latino
Age ≥60 years
English-speaking
Loved one dies in the last 12 months and was diagnosed with a condition that fits into one of 3 illness paradigms including cancer, cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, neuro- degenerative disease, renal disease, stroke, sepsis, hepatic disease)
Callahan Six-Item Screener score ≥4
Able to complete baseline surveys
Self-identifying as African American
White, Non-Hispanic or Latino
Sged ≥18 years old.
Practice at a University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) or Montefiore/Einstein site that provides care to patients eligible for outcomes surveys
At least 3 months of clinical practice at the study site prior to the intervention training to measure pre-intervention patient surveys

Exclusion

Cannot be receiving hospice care
Cannot be a paid "sitter"
Lack of at least 3 months of clinical practice at the study site prior to the intervention training.
Self-identified as African American (i.e., born, raised, and lived primarily in the US)
Non-Hispanic or Latino, 3. age ≥60 years
English-speaking
Has been diagnosed with a condition that fits into one of 3 illness paradigms including cancer, cardiac disease, pulmonary disease, neuro-degenerative disease, renal disease, stroke, sepsis, hepatic disease)
Callahan Six-Item Screener score ≥4
Able to complete baseline surveys.
Currently receiving hospice care.
Age ≥ 18 years
English-speaking
Community-dwelling
Unpaid care provider of a person with a serious illness.

What this trial measures

  • Human Connection Scale (patient/family reported)up to 3 months before the intervention

    The Human Connection (THC) Scale is a summary score of item responses such that a higher total score indicates greater therapeutic alliance. Possible scores range from 16 to 64. The 16-item THC scale had a high degree of internal consistency (Cronbach α= 90).

  • Human Connection Scale (patient/ family reported)up to 3 months after intervention

    The Human Connection (THC) Scale is a summary score of item responses such that a higher total score indicates greater therapeutic alliance. Possible scores range from 16 to 64. The 16-item THC scale had a high degree of internal consistency (Cronbach α= 90).