Exploring how structural racism affects family caregivers in serious illness care
Structural Racism and Engagement of Family Caregivers in Serious Illness Care
This study looks at how racism and segregation affect family caregivers who help loved ones with serious illnesses, aiming to understand the challenges they face in getting the right care and support, so we can find better ways to help both caregivers and patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11005718 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of structural racism and racial segregation on family caregivers who support individuals with serious illnesses. It aims to understand how these factors limit access to palliative care and hinder caregivers' ability to engage effectively with the healthcare system. By employing a mixed-methods approach, the study will gather data from diverse communities in Massachusetts, focusing on the experiences of caregivers and the challenges they face. The goal is to identify barriers and develop strategies to improve care coordination and support for both patients and their caregivers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include family caregivers of adults with serious illnesses, particularly those from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds.
Not a fit: Patients who are not currently receiving care for serious illnesses or do not have family caregivers may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to palliative care and better support systems for family caregivers, enhancing the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses.
How similar studies have performed: While the impact of structural racism on healthcare outcomes has been studied, this specific focus on caregivers in the context of serious illness care is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Worcester, United States
- Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester — Worcester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tjia, Jennifer — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Tjia, Jennifer
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 below.