Re-Engineered Discharge for Diabetes Care Transitions

BEHAVIORAL

REDDCAT2 Post-Discharge Navigation

Those in the REDDCAT2 intervention group will be partnered with a patient navigator whose role will be to review the results of the screening survey completed at the beginning of the study. The patient navigator will help coordinate the participant's care before leaving the hospital and for 90 days after. Together, the participant and navigator will form an action plan intended to help address personal, social, or community factors affecting the participant's health. The navigator is expected to contact the participant every 2 weeks, though this can be adjusted based on their preference.

OTHER

Treatment as Usual (TAU)

TAU participants will receive standard care from the UMass Memorial Healthcare (UMMH) hospitalist team as appropriate. Participants will receive a printed list of community resources. No study-related patient navigation support will be provided. In 2024, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services mandated social determinants of health (SDOH) screening for inpatients. UMMH will use a checklist social needs screener. It will be up to the hospitalist teams to act on SDOH screening results. The UMMH hospitalist teams may consult endocrinology and/or inpatient social services to provide support and consultation for all patients regardless of study participation or group assignment. If medically appropriate, the endocrinology service may manage medications and provide referrals for continued treatment post discharge. All services that are normally provided by hospital care teams will remain available.

Time to hospital service use post-discharge

Time frame: 90 days

The primary outcome is a composite measure on all types of hospital service use (emergency department, observation, or hospital readmissions), pre-specified as time-to-hospital reutilization, at 90-days post-hospital discharge. Source of the data are UMMH electronic health records and participant self-report.

What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is a research study that tests new medical treatments, drugs, devices, or procedures to determine their safety and effectiveness. Trials are carefully designed and monitored to protect participants while advancing medical knowledge.

Is it safe to participate?

Clinical trials follow strict safety guidelines and ethical standards. Trials must be reviewed and approved, and participants are closely monitored by medical professionals throughout the study. You can withdraw at any time if you choose.

Will I be compensated?

Many clinical trials offer compensation for your time, travel expenses, and inconvenience. The specific compensation varies by study and will be discussed during the screening process. All study-related medical care is typically provided at no cost to participants.

Will I receive a placebo instead of treatment?

When effective treatment exists, participants typically receive either the standard treatment plus the study intervention, or the standard treatment plus placebo. You would not be denied effective care. Placebos are primarily used when no proven treatment is available, or in addition to standard care. Your trial consent form will clearly explain what treatments you may receive.

Can I leave a trial if I change my mind?

Absolutely. Participation in clinical trials is completely voluntary. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled.

How long does a clinical trial last?

Trial duration varies widely depending on the study design and purpose. Some trials last just a few weeks, while others may continue for months or years. The study coordinator will provide specific timeline information during your screening call.