Concurrent pediatric end-of-life care policy: improving outcomes for kids and families
Official title: Effectiveness of Concurrent Care to Improve Pediatric and Family Outcomes at End of Life
Funded at University of Tennessee Knoxville · NIH-11362667 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A policy-focused study tests whether delivering hospice and medical care at the same time (concurrent care) improves outcomes for children with serious illness and support for their families.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Knoxville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Knoxville, United States) |
| Project start | July 29, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $305,922 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR017848-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11362667 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are children and adolescents with serious illness in rural communities whose care is affected by the concurrent care policy and their families.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in non-rural settings or those not impacted by the concurrent care policy may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project examines a health policy change called pediatric concurrent care and how it affects children with serious illnesses and their families, especially in rural areas. It uses real-world data to compare health and care use before and after the policy change, and it applies machine learning to identify at-risk rural kids who might benefit most. The research involves collaboration among nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and child life specialists to understand how coordinated care across settings works in practice. Results could guide how states design and implement end-of-life care programs for kids and families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could inform policies that reduce care fragmentation and improve quality of life and resource use for seriously ill children and their families.
How similar studies have gone: Prior cycles showed a pattern of improvements in care coordination, with ongoing work to confirm policy effects in rural populations.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Tennessee Knoxville
Knoxville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lindley, Lisa C. — University of Tennessee Knoxville
- Study coordinator: Lindley, Lisa C.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.