• Lingsheng Li, Brookelle H Li, Clarissa Ferguson, Jana Powell, Aiesha M Volow, Jasmine Santoyo-Olsson, Heather A Harris, Anne Kinderman, Patricia Levenberg, Judy Long, Alexander Smith, Alexia M Torke, Deborah E Barnes, and Rebecca L Sudore.
• Division of Geriatrics (L.L., B.H.L., C.F., J.P., J.S.O., P.L., A.S., D.E.B., R.L.S.), Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA. Electronic address: Lingsheng.li@ucsf.edu.
• J Pain Symptom Manage. 2025 Jan 7.

ContextSurrogate decision-makers have expressed the need for better preparation around communication and medical decision-making.ObjectivesThis mixed-methods feasibility study aimed to assess the feasibility and usability of an online program to prepare surrogates for their role.MethodsWe developed a 2-part program for surrogates called PREPARE For THEIR Care with a diverse group of Community Advisory Board members and caregivers recruited from the National Patient Advocacy Foundation. We conducted pilot testing of the program with caregivers. Using validated surveys, we assessed the feasibility and usability of the program and measured pre-to-post Advance Care Planning (ACP) Engagement among caregiver participants.ResultsOf the 26 pilot participants, mean age was 52 ± 12.7 years; 27% were men, 4% were nonbinary, 27% identified as Asian, 27% Black, 11% Multi-Racial, and 35% White. Participants found the program to be informative, comprehensive, and easy to use. Ease-of-use was rated 9.6 ± 0.92 on a 10-point scale; and, on 5-point scales, comfort using the program was rated 4.8 ± 0.51, helpfulness 4.6 ± 0.65, and likelihood to recommend to others 4.7 ± 0.53. There was improvement comparing pre- and postsurveys in readiness to engage in ACP for others (4.23 ± 0.67) to 4.47 ± 0.73), P = 0.04) and for self (3.55 ± 1.36) to (3.89 ± 1.06), P = 0.02).ConclusionIn this pilot study, the prepare for their care program resulted in high user satisfaction and improved pre-to-post surrogate readiness to engage in ACP. Larger trials are needed to evaluate the impact of the program on surrogate readiness and confidence.Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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