Factors that shape end-of-life cancer care in Puerto Rico
Examining the multilevel factors on quality of end-of-life care among cancer patients in Puerto Rico
This project looks at how personal, family, and healthcare system factors affect end-of-life care for people with cancer in Puerto Rico.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Juan, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171419 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You or your family may be asked to answer short surveys or take part in interviews about care preferences, experiences, and support needs near the end of life. Researchers will also review medical records and health system data to see how hospice, palliative care, hospital stays, and life-extending treatments are used. They will compare results across neighborhoods, hospitals, and patient groups to find where gaps or inequities exist. The team aims to combine these findings to guide services that better match patients' wishes and reduce unnecessary hospital visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people in Puerto Rico living with advanced cancer, their caregivers, and the clinicians who provide end-of-life care.
Not a fit: People without cancer, those living outside Puerto Rico, or those with early-stage disease not facing end-of-life decisions are unlikely to see direct benefits from this grant.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better access to timely palliative and hospice care that matches patient values and reduces unwanted hospitalizations.
How similar studies have performed: U.S. studies have shown timely palliative and hospice care improves quality of life and lowers hospital use, but applying a multilevel approach focused on Puerto Rico is novel.
Where this research is happening
San Juan, United States
- University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences — San Juan, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ortiz, Karen J — University of Puerto Rico Med Sciences
- Study coordinator: Ortiz, Karen J
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.