Exploring how rural living and social challenges affect access to surgical care and outcomes.

Understanding the effect of rurality and social risk factors on barriers to care and surgical outcomes.

NIH-funded research Veterans Health Administration · NIH-10975029

This study looks at how living in rural areas and facing social challenges can make it harder for Veterans to get the surgery they need and recover well, especially for those from minority and low-income backgrounds, so we can find ways to improve their care.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVeterans Health Administration NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project IDNIH-10975029 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how living in rural areas and facing social risk factors impact Veterans' access to surgical care and their outcomes after surgery. By analyzing data from the Veterans Administration and Medicare, the study aims to identify barriers that lead to complications and longer recovery times for patients, particularly those from minority and low socioeconomic backgrounds. The goal is to understand how care fragmentation affects these outcomes and to inform policies that improve care delivery for vulnerable populations.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include Veterans living in rural areas or those who experience social risk factors that may hinder their access to surgical care.

Not a fit: Patients who do not identify as Veterans or those who do not face barriers related to rurality or social risk factors may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved surgical outcomes and better access to care for Veterans, particularly those facing social and economic challenges.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that addressing social determinants of health can significantly improve patient outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Pittsburgh, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.