Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Improving Shared DECISion-making in oldEr Hip Fracture Patients Living With Frailty

This research wants to improve how older people with a broken hip, especially those who are frail, make choices about their treatment. Often, surgery is the main option, but for some, different choices might be better for their overall quality of life. The study will look at existing NHS information and talk to patients, their families, and healthcare staff to understand what's most important to them. The goal is to create an easy-to-understand guide. This guide will help patients and doctors have better conversations about all possible treatment options, including pain management without surgery, so that people can choose the care that best suits their life and personal wishes after a hip fracture.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

University of Southampton

Enrolment target

Start

01 Oct 2026

Estimated completion

07 Feb 2029

Hip Fractures (i.e. Femoral Neck or Intertrochanteric Hip Fractures)Hip Fractures (ICD-10 72.01-72.2)Hip Fracture Hip Fracture, Post Surgery Recovery, Muscle Resilience

What is this study about?

Breaking a hip is a serious injury, especially for older people. While surgery is commonly offered, this study understands that for some older individuals, particularly those who are frail, making decisions about treatment can be very complex. Sometimes, people might value things like being able to walk or look after themselves more than simply living longer, and surgery might not always be the best path to achieve these goals if it impacts their quality of life too much. Some might even consider focusing on comfort care instead of an operation.

Currently, it's not always easy for patients and their families to get all the information needed to make these very personal choices. This research aims to change that. It will look at information already collected by the NHS and talk to patients, their families, and the healthcare staff who look after them. The main goal is to find out what really matters to people when they are deciding on treatment for a broken hip.

Using all this gathered information, the researchers will then create a special guide. This guide will be designed to be clear and easy to understand. It will help older people with a broken hip, and their doctors, have better discussions about all their treatment options, including what life might be like after each choice. This way, patients can make decisions that truly reflect what's most important to them and their own hopes for their recovery and future.

Key takeaways

This study aims to help older people with hip fractures make treatment choices.
It focuses on understanding what matters most to patients and their families.
The goal is to create an easy-to-understand guide for discussions with doctors.
It uses existing NHS data and interviews with patients, families, and staff.
Participation involves sharing your experiences, not receiving new treatments.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for several groups of people to take part. For some parts of the research, they are looking at existing medical records of people aged 65 and over who had a hip fracture from a fall since August 2021, and whose frailty status was recorded. This means you wouldn't directly do anything, but your information might be used anonymously.

Other parts of the study involve talking to people directly. They are looking for patients aged 65 and over who have been admitted to University Hospital Southampton with a broken hip from a fall. They also want to speak to family members or carers (aged 18 or over) of these patients. Finally, they are interviewing healthcare professionals, such as doctors and nurses, who work with hip fracture patients at University Hospital Southampton or other European hospitals.

Important note: The study is specifically about hip fractures from a fall, not from other types of injuries or certain other bone breaks near the hip. If you're unsure if you or someone you care for might be suitable, it's always best to ask your doctor or the research team.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 65 years old or older?
Have you or a loved one had a hip fracture from a fall?
Were you or your loved one admitted to University Hospital Southampton for this?
Are you a family member or carer of someone who fits these criteria?
Are you a healthcare professional involved in hip fracture care at University Hospital Southampton or a European hospital?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study does not involve new treatments or medications. Instead, it aims to gather information to improve future care. If you are a patient, family member, or carer, your participation would involve being interviewed about your experiences and thoughts on hip fracture treatment decisions. These interviews would typically be held at a convenient time and place, potentially lasting an hour or so, and would be recorded for analysis, but your privacy will be protected. If you are a healthcare professional, you would also be interviewed about how treatment decisions are made. There are no follow-up visits or direct medical assessments involved for participants, as the study focuses on gathering perspectives and existing data. The total duration of individual participation, if interviewed, would be the time taken for the interview itself.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no direct medical benefits from taking part in this study, as it's about gathering information rather than providing a new treatment. However, your input could significantly benefit future patients by helping to create better tools for making treatment decisions after a hip fracture. The risks are very low; your comfort and privacy will be prioritised during interviews. You will not be asked about anything that makes you uncomfortable, and you can stop the interview or withdraw from the study at any time without needing to give a reason, and this will not affect your medical care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Southampton, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is 'frailty'?

Frailty means someone is generally weaker and less able to bounce back from illness or injury. It's often seen in older people.

What is 'shared decision-making'?

This is when you and your doctors work together to choose the best treatment plan for you. Your preferences and values are just as important as the medical facts.

Will I have to take new medicine or have an operation if I join?

No, this study is about collecting information to help create a guide for future patients. It doesn't involve giving anyone new treatments or operations.

How will my personal information be kept private?

The researchers will protect your privacy. Any information you share will be kept confidential and anonymised where possible so you can't be identified.

Can I change my mind after agreeing to take part?

Yes, you are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your medical care.

How to find out more

Liam L Jones, BMBS

l.jones@soton.ac.uk +442381206134 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.