Changes to study protocol
death
RECRUITMENT
Four notable changes occurred throughout the course of the study. First, the protocol was amended to include Spanish speakers as eligible participants. Second, although the protocol initially only included cohabiting partners/spouses of patients, this was expanded to include non-partner family members to facilitate recruitment. Third, the target enrollment was increased to recruit one additional participant in the diary intervention because one person who was randomized to the diary intervention dropped out immediately after randomization. This resulted in a total enrollment of 16 participants (11 in the diary intervention, 5 in the control group) rather than 15 participants as originally intended. Fourth, participants were originally compensated $25 for survey completion at the end of hospital care and $25 for survey completion 30 days after the end of hospital care. This was later amended to be one $50 payment at 30 days after the end of hospital care, such that, if a participant’s loved one passed away, they were not contacted immediately following the death and were not monetarily penalized for missing this assessment.