Patient Perceptions of the Relational Empathy of Healthcare Practitioners From the Department of Emergency Medicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic
COVID-19 Infection · Hematopoietic and Lymphoid Cell Neoplasm · Malignant Solid Neoplasm
What this study involves
The registry does not currently label this study as recruiting. Ask about its status before planning a screening visit.
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Age range
- 18 years - Not specified
- Sex eligible
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Participants
- 107 Actual
These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.
About the research
This study investigates patients' perceptions of their doctor's or nurse's empathy during an in-person interaction with the doctor or nurse wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) compared to during a video interaction with the doctor or nurse without PPE. The goal of this research study is to learn whether patients who visit the Acute Cancer Care Center at MD Anderson believe they get better (more empathetic) care from doctors who visit them in person wearing PPE or from doctors who visit them by video call and do not wear PPE.
Read the full description
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
I. To determine whether patients perceive their healthcare practitioner as more empathetic during an in-person interaction with the practitioner wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), or during a video interaction without the need for PPE.
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To assess whether certain physicians perform better with video whereas others perform better in person.
II. To characterize generational differences in patient perception of healthcare practitioner empathy during an in person interaction with the practitioner wearing PPE, or during a video interaction without the need for PPE.
OUTLINE: After initial visit, patients are randomized to 1 of 2 groups.
GROUP A (NO PPE): Patients receive standard of care via video call with treating physician.
GROUP B (WEARING PPE): Patients receive standard of care in-person physician visits.
Who may be able to participate?
The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.
Inclusion Criteria:
- \>= 18 years old
- Able to speak and write in English
- Able to understand and willing to sign a written informed consent document
- Willing and able to complete the study assessment(s)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Refuses to participate
- Too ill to participate, in the estimation of the patient's physician
Treatment, groups and participation
The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.
- Assignment
- Not applicable
- Masking
- No masking
Group A (video call)
Patients receive standard of care via video call with treating physician.
Procedure: Discussion · Other: Questionnaire Administration
Group B (in-person)
Patients receive standard of care in-person physician visits.
Other: Best Practice · Other: Questionnaire Administration
Best Practice OTHER
Physician conversations occur in-person
Discussion PROCEDURE
Physician conversations occur via video call
Questionnaire Administration OTHER
Ancillary studies
What researchers are measuring
Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.
Primary measures
Patients' perceptions of healthcare provider empathy
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 year
Univariate linear regression analysis will be used to determine the association between the approach (in-person interaction/with personal protective equipment \[PPE\] versus video interaction/without PPE) and the composite scores or scores for each question (for each of the two tools \[the CARE Measure and the linear empathy tool\]).
Review the complete result tables and limitations in the official record.
Open official results ↗Research locations (1)
The overall study status and a local site’s status can differ. Confirm that location’s availability before traveling.
1 locations
M D Anderson Cancer CenterHouston, Texas, United StatesStatus unknown
Study team and timeline
- Lead sponsor
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- Study start
- Jun 2, 2021 Actual
- Primary completion
- Nov 3, 2026 Actual
- Study completion
- Nov 3, 2026 Actual
- First posted
- Nov 1, 2021 Actual
- Last updated
- Nov 10, 2026 Actual
Official study contacts
No central contact is listed. Check the locations and the official record.
Official study title
Patient Perceptions of the Relational Empathy of Healthcare Practitioners From the Department of Emergency Medicine During COVID-19: A Randomized, Controlled Trial Comparing In-Person Interaction With Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Versus Video Interaction Without PPE
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Source: ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Information is submitted by sponsors and investigators. NLM does not approve the safety or science of all listed studies. Registry disclaimer.
Retrieved: Nov 11, 2026 · Last registry update: Nov 10, 2026