GOAL - Australasian Kidney Trials Network (AKTN)

The GOAL Trial: Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment for Frail Older People with Chronic Kidney Disease to Increase Attainment of Patient-Identified Goals: A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial

Doctors and researchers in the GOAL trial studied how to improve the health and wellbeing of older frail people with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The number of patients with CKD is increasing in Australia and worldwide. Older patients with CKD are often more frail and have complex health problems. We know that everyone has different needs and goals, and each person should get care or treatment suitable for that person.

The GOAL trial aimed to determine whether a detailed medical review by a geriatrician (a specialist doctor in the care of older people) could help patients improve their health and wellbeing and achieve their goals. This detailed medical review is called a ‘Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment’.

This trial focused on improving the health of frail older people with chronic kidney disease, and helping them reach their own goals of care. It was designed and overseen by a group of researchers, patients, and carers. We aimed to generate evidence that would inform health care policy and guidelines. The input of patients and carers helped ensure that results of our study were relevant and important to patients themselves.
Professor Ruth Hubbard, Coordinating Principal Investigator

What did the GOAL trial involve for participants?

All GOAL study participants set goals when they joined the study. These goals are something that are important to participants. These goals were reviewed at 3, 6, and 12 months. Participants also completed a short health questionnaire and frailty status check at the four study visits over 12 months.

The GOAL trial recruited 240 participants across 15 hospitals in Australia. Participants from 8 sites received a review by a geriatrician and participants from the other 8 sites received their usual care. We compared achievement of goals and health and wellbeing between the two groups. The study has closed to recruitment.

Which hospitals took part in the GOAL trial?

*Not all listed hospitals have started yet. 2 more hospitals will start in the GOAL trial soon.

As a primary carer of frail elderly family members with CKD, I had grown accustomed to accepting care decisions that the health system made for them. GOAL was a unique study of interest to me as it focused about empowering frail elderly people to achieve those goals that matter most to them and improving their quality of life.
Chandana Guha, Consumer Advisory Board Representative

Who was part of the study?

Adults aged over 65 years or over 55 years if Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander with CKD stages 3 to 5 including dialysis who were current patients at participating hospitals. The study team measured frailty status using a short test to check people can take part in the study.

For information about the completed study, email

goal@uq.edu.au

Download the Study Summary Infographic

Study team and funding

Principal Investigator: Professor Ruth Hubbard from the University of Queensland
Clinical Research Associate: Peta-Anne Paul-Brent

Funding: The National Health and Medical Research Council
Trial Number: AKTN 20.1
ClinicalTrials.gov: GOAL Trial
Status: Study completed. Main publication available at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42315016/

Study Results

Download the Trial Results Infographic

A video of the results available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oMoC1M1KvQ&t=2211s

Trial Steering Committee

Andrea Viecelli
Donna Reidlinger
Elaine Pascoe
Jason Pole
Laura Hickey
Len Gray
Matthew Jose
Ruth Hubbard
David Johnson
Kim-Huong Nguyen
Nicki Scholes-Robertson
Emily Gordon
Kevan Polkinghorne
Allison Tong
Dimity Pond
Monika Janda
Carmel Hawley
Janet Bailey
Misa Matsuyama
Julie Varghese