Examining racial differences in decision making for patients with severe breathing issues
Official title: Racial disparities in shared decision making for patients with acute respiratory failure
Funded at Duke University · NIH-10910048 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how doctors and nurses in the ICU work with patients and their families, especially focusing on how Black and White families are involved in making tough decisions about breathing problems, with the goal of finding ways to make sure everyone gets the same level of care and support during these stressful times.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2022 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $185,814 |
| NIH project number | 5K23HL164968-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10910048 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include critically ill patients experiencing acute respiratory failure and their families, particularly those from Black and White racial backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not critically ill or do not have acute respiratory failure may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how ICU clinicians involve patients and their families in decision making regarding acute respiratory failure, focusing on racial disparities. It aims to understand the differences in engagement between Black and White families, particularly in high-pressure situations where critical decisions must be made. By analyzing these interactions, the research seeks to develop interventions that promote equitable care and improve communication in the ICU setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved decision-making processes in ICUs, ensuring that all patients receive equitable care regardless of their racial background.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has highlighted racial disparities in healthcare decision making, indicating that addressing these issues could lead to significant improvements in patient care.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ashana, Deepshikha Charan — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Ashana, Deepshikha Charan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using a simple breathing test to check lung function after kids’ acute respiratory failure
A study will test a child-friendly breathing method (oscillometry) to check how well lungs work after severe respiratory illness in kids.
-
Financial hardship in acute respiratory failure patients and their family caregivers
This grant studies how money worries affect patients with acute respiratory failure and their family caregivers, aiming to improve outcomes for both sides.
-
Understanding which patients and hospital care pathways affect outcomes after ICU vs ward care for ARF and sepsis
A big study using hospital records to figure out which patients with acute respiratory failure and sepsis do best when admitted to ICUs versus general wards.
-
Optimizing Time-Limited Trials of Ventilation in Acute Respiration Failure
Aimed at patients with acute respiratory failure, this project looks at how short-term trials of life-support in the ICU can be better planned and communicated.
-
Using a simple breathing test to check how kids recover lung function after severe lung illness
A study will test a quick, noninvasive breathing test called oscillometry to see how well children who survived dangerous lung problems recover over time.
-
Breathing effort and ventilator safety in severe respiratory failure
This research looks at how a person's own breathing effort affects lung and diaphragm injury for adults on ventilators for acute respiratory failure.
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.