Enhancing communication with bereaved relatives about emergency and critical care trials (ENHANCE): a mixed-methods study.

Doughty, Hannah, Deja, Elizabeth, Young, Bridget, Welters, Ingeborg, Shepherd, Victoria ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7687-0817, Milosevic, Sarah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1973-8286, O'Hara, Kellie, Carman, Julie, Sankar, Vinoth, Thomas-Jones, Emma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7716-2786, Euden, Joanne ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2844-6878 and Woolfall, Kerry 2026. Enhancing communication with bereaved relatives about emergency and critical care trials (ENHANCE): a mixed-methods study. BMJ Open 16 (2) , e106677. 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-106677

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Abstract

ObjectivesClinical research in emergency and critical care is vital, but recruitment and consent are complex. Research may be conducted without prior consent when patients are critically ill, and interventions are time critical. Some patients may die before research participation can be discussed with relatives, leaving the bereaved unaware of their involvement. This study explored potential communication strategies for informing bereaved relatives when a patient has died following enrolment into an emergency or critical care study without prior consent.Design and settingA mixed-methods study using a telephone survey and semi-structured interviews conducted simultaneously. The survey was conducted within a National Health Service Trust in North West England with relatives of deceased study participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with bereaved relatives and research and clinical staff across the UK, and medical examiner (ME)/ME officers based in England and Wales. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, and qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Data were synthesised using a constant comparison approach.Participants11 bereaved relatives completed the survey. 53 individuals (21 research and clinical staff, 18 relatives and 14 MEs/officers) participated in semi-structured interviews.ResultsAlthough many trials do not include a process for notifying bereaved relatives about research participation, most relatives valued the opportunity to learn about their family member's participation, emphasising the importance of transparency and trust. However, some raised concerns over the potential burden of automatic disclosure by the ME service. Offering bereaved relatives the option to receive sensitively worded information about research involvement at an appropriate time, soon after death, was recommended.ConclusionBereaved relatives should have the choice to be informed about research participation without prior consent. Our findings support the need for transparent and sensitive communication and will contribute to future guidance for the design and conduct of adult emergency and critical care studies.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Medicine Research Institutes & Centres > Centre for Trials Research (CNTRR)
Additional Information:	License information from Publisher: LICENSE 1: Title: cc by, Type: cc by
Publisher:	BMJ Publishing Group
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	10 March 2026
Date of Acceptance:	17 February 2026
Last Modified:	10 Mar 2026 15:45
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/185661

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