The e-SINCERE Study
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Standard Referral to 211, e-SINCERE (Phone Support), e-SINCERE (Digital Navigation).
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), Digital Health Literacy, Health Services Utilization. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- United States
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Enhanced Digital Access to Bridge Social Needs and Reduce Health Disparities: The e-SINCERE Study
Overview
The e-SINCERE study will evaluate whether providing stable cell phones and digital navigation assistance helps patients overcome ICT barriers and connect more successfully with community services. The study will begin with patients in the UHealth ED, with additional sites added in the future, and will involve working with community service providers and policy leaders to refine and implement the intervention. Findings from this study may guide the development of future programs and policies to improve access to services for patients facing economic and technological barriers.
Interventions
- Other Standard Referral to 211
Participants receive a standard referral to United Way 211 for assistance with social needs. 211 specialists contact referred patients, provide available service referrals, and follow up in an ad-hoc manner as per standard 211 protocols. - Behavioral e-SINCERE (Phone Support)
Participants receive a study-provided cellphone to ensure stable phone access. Using this device, participants are connected to United Way 211 specialists, who provide referral services for identified social needs. This intervention focuses on overcoming communication barriers that might otherwise prevent successful service connection. - Behavioral e-SINCERE (Digital Navigation)
Participants receive a study-provided TracFone and direct support from a trained Digital Navigator. The Digital Navigator assists participants with accessing United Way 211 services, troubleshooting barriers to phone or internet use, and reinforcing follow-through on referrals. This arm is designed to provide enhanced, structured navigation support to address digital access barriers and increase successful service connections.
Primary outcome measures
- Successful connection to community social services (any service) [Time frame: 6 months after randomization]
Secondary outcome measures (3)
- Health-related quality of life (PROMIS Global Health) [Time frame: Baseline, 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after randomization]
- Emergency department utilization (all-cause ED visits) [Time frame: 6 months after randomization]
- Digital access stability (phone connectivity) [Time frame: 6 months after randomization]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Community Advisory Board Members
Health system, governmental, and community service stakeholders
Able to understand English
Adult (> 18 years)
\- General screening population:
Any patient who completes the SINCERE screener.
Able to understand or read English or Spanish.
\- Survey study inclusion criteria:
Any patient who completes the SINCERE screener who has connected with 211 for service outreach
Able to understand or read English or Spanish.
Adult (> 18 years)
Exclusion criteria
- Those unable to communicate verbally in English or Spanish
- Those living in nursing facilities, or those who are not otherwise responsible for self-care
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
Study locations
United States · 1 center
- University of Utah — Salt Lake City
Publications
- Wallace AS, Luther BL, Simonsen SE, Jackson S, Grigorian E, Wong B. Evaluating the impact of stable cellphone access and digital navigation on 6-month health outcomes and service connection in emergency care: protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2026 Jul 24;16(7):e113945. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-113945. PMID 42498479
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07174466 · 00181891 · 1R01NR021501-01