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

Doughty, H ORCID: 0000-0003-0493-6423, Deja, E ORCID: 0000-0002-3626-4927, Young, B ORCID: 0000-0001-6041-9901, Welters, I, Shepherd, V ORCID: 0000-0002-7687-0817, Milosevic, S ORCID: 0000-0003-1973-8286, O’Hara, K, Carman, J ORCID: 0000-0003-3648-7941, Sankar, V, Thomas-Jones, E ORCID: 0000-0001-7716-2786, Euden, J ORCID: 0000-0002-2844-6878 and Woolfall, K ORCID: 0000-0002-5726-5304 (2026) Enhancing communication with bereaved relatives about emergency and critical care trials (ENHANCE): a mixed-methods study. BMJ Open, 16 (2). e106677-e106677. ISSN 2044-6055

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Abstract

Objectives Clinical 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 setting A 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.

Participants 11 bereaved relatives completed the survey. 53 individuals (21 research and clinical staff, 18 relatives and 14 MEs/officers) participated in semi-structured interviews.

Results Although 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.

Conclusion Bereaved 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
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1103 Clinical Sciences; 1117 Public Health and Health Services; 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences; 32 Biomedical and clinical sciences; 42 Health sciences; 52 Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions:	Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher:	BMJ
Date of acceptance:	17 February 2026
Date of first compliant Open Access:	4 March 2026
Date Deposited:	04 Mar 2026 16:00
Last Modified:	04 Mar 2026 16:00
DOI or ID number:	10.1136/bmjopen-2025-106677
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28196

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