Remote symptom checks and palliative care support for adults with heart failure
Looks at remote symptom monitoring and palliative care support in adults with heart failure.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: A Study on Remote Health Support for Patients With Heart Failure.
Key facts
- Where
- Aachen, GermanySee the site
Where in Germany
- Universitaetsklinikum AachenAachen, GermanyNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
- Trial code
- NCT07440472
- Record updated
- 27 February 2026
- Original description
This multicenter prospective observational feasibility study evaluates the implementation of the RAPHAEL model, a remote monitoring palliative care approach for patients with heart failure. The study aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, usability, and implementation outcomes of integrating structured remote symptom monitoring and palliative care needs assessment into routine outpatient heart failure care.Read full original descriptionShow less
Feasibility of Implementing a Remote Monitoring Palliative Care Model for Patients With Heart Failure.
This multicenter prospective observational feasibility study evaluates the implementation of the RAPHAEL model, a remote monitoring palliative care approach for patients with heart failure. The study aims to assess the feasibility, acceptability, usability, and implementation outcomes of integrating structured remote symptom monitoring and palliative care needs assessment into routine outpatient heart failure care.
Adult patients with heart failure and worsening symptoms and/or potential palliative care needs will complete a structured digital questionnaire during a 4-week follow-up period. Healthcare professionals will review reported needs and conduct follow-up contact according to usual clinical practice. No experimental drugs or devices are administered, and clinical management remains at the discretion of the treating team.
Primary outcomes focus on feasibility and implementation metrics, including participation rates, acceptability, usability, perceived burden, resource requirements, fidelity to the intervention model, training adoption, applicability, adaptation, and demand.
Inclusion: Patients; Adult patients (≥18 years) with the main diagnosis of HF according to current guidelines (20), living at home; recruitment will be stratified by sex and limited to 60-70% for either sex; Screen positive for one of the three clinical "sensitizing" questions, intended to identify potential palliative care (PC) needs:; 'Would I be surprised if this patient were to die within one year?'; A "No" response indicates possible palliative care needs. 'Has this patient experienced 'escalating care events' at least twice in the past year, including i) unscheduled hospitalizations for HF, ii) emergency department visits for HF, iii) visits to out-of-hours primary care services for HF, and/or iv) other similar escalating care events?'; A "Yes" response indicates possible PC needs. 'Is this patient experiencing persistent or worsening multidimensional symptoms (e.g., physical, psychological, social, or spiritual concerns) despite optimal HF treatment, such that a palliative assessment is indicated (upon discretion of the treating physician or nurse)?'; A "Yes" response indicates possible PC needs; patient's or informal caregiver's ability to use technology (e.g., having internet access, owning a smartphone or tablet, or having someone available who can assist them); capacity to provide informed consent; Primary Caregiver:; Informal caregiver who is present with the patient during the implementation of the intervention; ≥18 years; capacity to provide consent; Healthcare professionals: Two professionals identified by the consortium in each site, willing to be trained in the intervention to perform the feasibility study.
Exclusion: severe cognitive impairment or language disorders as determined by the attending healthcare professional based on clinical judgment and medical record review; Cognitive impairment or language disorders determined by the attending healthcare professional; Acute events leading to multiple outpatient visits not related to the HF diagnosis; simultaneous participation in another study; inability to read and write in the language in which the study is conducted; Primary caregivers:; inability to read and write in the language in which the study is conducted; Health care professionals: a) Inability to read and write fluently in the language(s) required for the study site and for using the digital questionnaire.