Empowering Elderly Patients to Take Charge of Their Healthcare

In the chaotic environment of hospitals, older adults often find their care decisions made for them, particularly in emergencies. Without documented preferences, the norm becomes full resuscitation—often contrary to what they desire. This gap in patient-centered care is being tackled head-on by Valerie Louis, a pioneering medical student from the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.

Introducing the ASKmeGOC Study

At the 2025 American College of Physicians Internal Medicine Meeting in New Orleans, Louis unveiled the ASKmeGOC study. This innovative research is centered around a groundbreaking electronic tool designed to allow elderly patients to articulate their goals of care and preferences for life-sustaining treatments.

Why This Matter Matters

"Many elderly patients enter hospitals without ever being asked about their care preferences," Louis explained. "This can lead to family members and healthcare providers facing immense pressure during crises, defaulting to aggressive measures that may not align with the patient's wishes. Our study aims to change that narrative by fostering conversations about care preferences when patients are stable and able to think clearly."

The Structure of the ASKmeGOC Tool

The ASKmeGOC tool consists of four modules that thoroughly evaluate a patient's current health status and the context of their hospitalization. From assessing mobility and daily activities to offering statistical insights on prognosis, this tool prepares patients to make informed decisions.

Patients engage with the tool using an iPad under the guidance of ICU nurses, tackling hypothetical scenarios such as cardiac arrest. They can then visually express their preferences—from aggressive life-saving interventions to palliative care—all documented for future reference.

Significant Findings from the Study

With approximately 1,100 patients enrolled, the study became Canada's largest randomized control trial in a community hospital setting, yielding compelling results. Patients who participated in discussions about their choices saw a 30% reduction in ICU days and an impressive 60% decrease in ventilator use.

Moreover, the proportion of patients without documented care preferences plummeted from 25% to just 4%, demonstrating the tool's effectiveness in ensuring voices are heard.

Long-Term Benefits and Future Research

The potential benefits extend beyond individual care. By decreasing unnecessary ICU usage, hospitals can allocate resources more effectively, easing the burden on healthcare providers and families alike. Louis and her team are also monitoring these patients for a year after discharge to assess the long-term impact of their conversations on care decisions.

Aiming for Global Expansion

While the current study focuses on patients aged 80 and above, there are plans to broaden its reach across various healthcare settings. Collaborations with institutions like Sharp Medical in San Diego are paving the way for a global adoption of the ASKmeGOC tool.

Louis emphasizes, "The ultimate goal is to empower patients to take charge of their healthcare decisions, ensuring they receive care that truly benefits them. We envision extending this tool's application to primary care and long-term facilities to revolutionize patient empowerment across the board."