Examining low-value healthcare for children in hospitals and emergency departments
Official title: Measuring pediatric hospital-based low-value care: Urban-rural disparities and associated downstream healthcare utilization
Funded at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic · NIH-11044180 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how often kids receive unnecessary medical care in hospitals, especially in rural areas, and how that affects their health and treatment costs, with the goal of finding ways to improve care for all children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lebanon, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $222,259 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM148278-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11044180 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children aged 0-11 years who receive care in hospital emergency departments, particularly those from rural areas.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not receiving care in hospital settings or those outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the prevalence and impact of low-value care (LVC) in pediatric hospital settings, particularly focusing on both urban and rural hospitals. It aims to understand how LVC affects health outcomes and healthcare utilization for children, especially those living in rural areas who may face worse health outcomes. By analyzing data from various hospitals, the research seeks to identify disparities in care delivery and the associated costs and harms of LVC. The findings could help inform strategies to reduce unnecessary healthcare interventions in pediatric populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved healthcare practices that enhance the quality of care for children and reduce unnecessary medical interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has highlighted the prevalence of low-value care in pediatric settings, but this study aims to explore uncharted territory regarding rural hospitals, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
Lebanon, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: House, Samantha a. — Dartmouth-Hitchcock Clinic
- Study coordinator: House, Samantha a.
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.