Creating a new way to help staff deal with patient harassment in VA clinics
Official title: Designing a novel post-incident intervention to address patient harassment of staff in VA primary care settings
Funded at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System · NIH-11080188 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new program to help healthcare workers at Veterans Affairs clinics who face harassment from patients, making sure they feel supported and safe so they can provide the best care possible.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | December 31, 2024 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I21HX003523-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11080188 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients receiving care in VA primary care settings where staff may experience harassment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not interact with staff in VA primary care settings or those who do not experience harassment will likely not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing an intervention to support healthcare staff in Veterans Affairs primary care settings who experience harassment from patients. It aims to create a systematic approach that addresses incidents of harassment, promotes reporting, and provides support to affected staff. By implementing evidence-based strategies, the project seeks to improve staff well-being and enhance the quality of care provided to patients. The intervention will also align with recent mandates to eliminate harassment in VA facilities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a safer and more supportive work environment for healthcare staff, ultimately improving patient care and satisfaction.
How similar studies have gone: While there is limited research specifically targeting patient harassment in VA settings, similar interventions in other healthcare environments have shown promise in improving staff well-being and patient care.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fenwick, Karissa — VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Fenwick, Karissa
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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.