Clinical Research Directory

AI-Driven Consent Simplification Study

The overarching goal of this pilot is to explore how generative artificial intelligence (genAI) can be used to improve the accessibility and understandability of informed consent materials in clinical research. The study will test the extent to which informed consent text can be improved by large language models (LLM; specifically, ChatGPT and NotebookLM) along with other AI tools (specifically, ElevenLabs) through qualitative and quantitative analyses. Simplifying such forms using genAI may facilitate better comprehension, ensuring truly informed consent. Improving informed consent form (ICF) comprehension can lead to more informed and willing participation in clinical studies. This improved understanding may result in higher enrollment rates, better subject retention, and more accurate data collection as individuals will have a clearer understanding of study procedures and risks.

Optimizing Timing of Cesarean Delivery Consent on Labor and Delivery

Nationally, 32.1% of pregnant patients deliver via cesarean delivery, including both patients who undergo a planned cesarean delivery and patients who intend to undergo vaginal delivery and are recommended to deliver via cesarean delivery. The investigators aim to understand how to optimize the patient experience for patients who present to the hospital intending to deliver vaginally but are recommended to deliver via cesarean delivery (an unplanned cesarean delivery). Practices regarding timing of informed consent for possible cesarean delivery vary widely across hospitals in the United States; some institutions will consent every patient on admission to the hospital for possible cesarean delivery, whereas some institutions consent patients for possible cesarean delivery only if a patient's clinical course suggests cesarean delivery may be indicated. This study aims to determine optimal timing for consent for possible cesarean delivery by randomizing patients to either be consented for possible cesarean delivery on admission to the hospital or if it appears to be clinically indicated. This study will only assess altered timing of a surgical consent process and will not impact the clinical care participants receive. After delivery, participants will share their experiences with the consent process and with their overall childbirth experience.

GEM: Impact of a Video Education Tool on Decisional Conflict Among Prenatal Patients

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to assess the impact of a video educational tool on patient decisional conflict at the time when making a decision about prenatal genetic testing. The control group will receive standard prenatal care. The secondary aims include assessing the impact of the video educational tool versus standard care on pregnant participants': perception of likelihood of having a baby affected by a genetic problem, intended plan for genetic testing, patient-provider communication, retention of prenatal genetics knowledge, and perception of genetic data privacy. Participants will be asked to: 1. Watch video education (if randomized to this group) and complete a baseline survey at their dating ultrasound regarding knowledge of prenatal genetics, prior experiences, and demographics 2. Complete a follow up survey after seeing their prenatal care provider regarding: decisional conflict scale with respect to prenatal genetic testing decision (primary outcome), perception of likelihood of having a baby affected by a genetic problem (secondary outcome) and the type of genetic testing chosen (secondary outcome). 3. Complete a second follow up survey six to ten weeks from the second survey to assess: Provider patient communication, retention of genetics knowledge, patient recollection of testing performed, and self-reported out of pocket cost related to genetic testing.

Patient Preferences on Same-day Bilateral Intravitreal Dexamethasone Injections

Intravitreal injections with dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex®) provide a reasonable and long-lasting treatment option in the cases of diabetic macular edema, as well as macular edema resulting from retinal vein occlusion and noninfectious posterior uveitis. During the course of these diseases, both eyes may be affected and may need therapy. The treatment burden associated with frequent medical visits associated with treatments in both eyes and follow-ups can be significant for patients and caregivers alike. Same-session bilateral ophthalmic procedures have proven safe and cost-effective, with patients consistently expressing a strong preference for this approach, particularly in the cases of cataract surgery and anti-VEGF injections when given the choice. The safety profile of same-day bilateral dexamethasone injections aligns with those of unilateral injections. This patient preference study will focus on addressing the practical aspects of same-day bilateral dexamethasone injections from the patients' perspective and aims to explore the impact of personal and socio-economic variables, and the overall perspective of patients on choosing same-day bilateral dexamethasone injections. Understanding and mitigating the challenges patients face can lead to a more patient-friendly and resource-saving approach. Based on the outcomes of this study, considerations may be made to introduce bilateral injections at our department, potentially optimizing patient experience and clinical resources. The aim of the study is to establish patient preferences regarding the administration of intravitreal dexamethasone implant injections in both eyes on the same day, in the same session and to identify key motivating and limiting factors from the patients' perspective.

Video-Assisted Informed Consent for Neonatal Lumbar Puncture

The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness of video-assisted neonatal lumbar puncture consent processes against a conventional consent discussion to inform parents about pediatric lumbar puncture in the pediatric ED. We hypothesize that having a visual aid in addition to the verbal information presented in the consent process will lead to increased parent comprehension, decision-making, and satisfaction with the consent process. Furthermore, the findings from this study may have broader implications for improving the informed consent process for other medical procedures and interventions in pediatric settings.

Implementing a Novel Consent Process for Biospecimen Research After Newborn Screening

The purpose of this study is to implement an electronic consent education process for the retention and research use of residual dried bloodspots at four hospitals in Michigan and assess the impact of the new education, both on patients and hospital staff. The research team will recruit women who have just given birth to answer surveys about the Michigan BioTrust consent process. Surveys will be collected from participants in the hospital and again four weeks later. The research team will collect survey data from patient participants at each hospital prior to hospital staff implementation of the new education process and again after staff implementation.

Effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Reality in Nursing Students' Learning

Teaching using VR for basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation and patient examination (experimental group) will not result in differences in knowledge and skill acquisition compared to traditional classroom-based simulation teaching (control group), but it will lead to greater satisfaction and self-confidence. Open, single-center randomized clinical trial involving fourth-year nursing degree students at a public university. Participants will be assigned based on their usual teaching groups (ratio of 6-8 students per instructor) and, according to randomization, will receive a 1:1 assignment to either the control group (classroom-based simulation teaching) or the experimental group (classroom-based simulation teaching combined with VR headset teaching). The CONSORT checklist will be followed to report the study.

Analysis of the Persistence, Reservoir and HIV Latency

The APRIL study aims at analyzing HIV reservoirs, latency and persistence on antiretroviral therapy. It enrolls HIV-infected adults providing blood samples of which peripheral blood mononuclear cells are stored. The frequency, phenotype and inducibility of HIV-infected cells are then analyzed. These parameters may vary across the different clinical and therapeutic settings.