The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has approved a nine-month extension for the Meta-LARC Advance Care Planning Trial, a cluster randomized trial studying how primary care providers can best engage seriously ill patients in conversations about their goals, values and health care preferences.

The study is being conducted through seven practice-based research networks in the U.S. and Canada, including ORPRN, housed within the Meta-network Learning and Research Center (Meta-LARC). OHSU’s Annette Totten, Ph.D., is the PI, and France Légaré, of the CHU de Québec-Université Laval is co-PI.

Based on the experience of more than 1,200 patients and care partners at 40 practices, the study hopes to promote advance care planning in primary care. The trial recently met its enrollment goals, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The extension includes an additional $399,790 to support ongoing work including the continued participation of the PBRNs and patient and family advisors.

In Oregon, participating practices include Dunes Family Healthcare (Reedsport), Winding Waters Clinic (Enterprise), St. Luke’s Eastern Oregon Medical Associates (Baker City), Cascades East Family Medicine (Klamath Falls), Providence Medical Group – Newberg and OHSU Internal Medicine Clinic (Portland).

To learn more about Meta-LARC, visit ORPRN's website.