Actively Recruiting
Social Prescribing to Improve Adherence and Outcomes in Women With Heart Failure
Led by McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre · Updated on 2026-02-20
200
Participants Needed
2
Research Sites
62 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
M
McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Lead Sponsor
C
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of hospitalizations among women in North America, and many women do not follow recommended medical treatments, leading to high rates of hospital stays and death. This research evaluates whether social prescribing (SP), a non-medical approach that connects patients to community resources addressing social needs, can improve medication adherence and quality of life for Canadian women with heart failure who are at high risk of non-adherence due to social factors. The trial is a randomized clinical study conducted in multiple centers to assess this innovative approach. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive social prescribing or continue with usual care. Women in the social prescribing group will meet with a link worker (LW) who will assess their social needs through interviews and a questionnaire, then provide personalized referrals to community supports addressing issues such as income, transportation, housing, loneliness, mental health, and medication management. The intervention includes an initial consultation and structured follow-up calls over one year to monitor engagement and update prescriptions. The control group will receive standard care without the social prescribing intervention. Throughout the one-year study period, participants will complete assessments including adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy measured by proportion of days covered (PDC) using health records, and quality of life evaluations using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ-12). Follow-up assessments will occur at baseline, six months, and one year. The study aims to see if social prescribing improves medication adherence and quality of life compared to usual care in women with heart failure facing social challenges.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Social Prescribing to Improve Adherence and Outcomes in Women With Heart Failure
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Women
- 18 years of age or older
- Documented heart failure of any cause
- Valid personal health identifier
- Two or more points on the weighted SPARK questionnaire indicating social vulnerability
You will not qualify if you...
- Patients not meeting inclusion criteria
- Not taking heart failure medications
- Not residents of the province where they are followed or have opted out of the provincial health registry
- Severe cognitive impairment or other conditions that significantly limit ability to participate in social prescribing interventions
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
Duration - 1 year
Participants identified with social vulnerabilities receive a consultation with a Link Worker who provides individualized social prescriptions to connect them with community supports and services.
Initial consultation and follow-up calls at 7 and 14 days, then monthly or as needed
Duration - 1 year
Participants receive structured follow-up calls to assess engagement with social prescriptions and adjust support based on changing needs.
Follow-up calls at 7 and 14 days, then monthly or as needed
Trial Site Locations
Total: 2 locations
1
Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H4A 3J1
Not Yet Recruiting
2
Royal Victoria Hospital
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
D
Dr. Louise Pilote, MD MPH PhD FRCPC
D
Dr. Bulemba Katende, MD, MSc.
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
2
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