Helping Primary Care Teams Plan Future Care for Alzheimer's Disease
Improving Primary Care Clinicians' Advance Care Planning for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11123499
This project aims to help primary care doctors and nurses better guide patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, along with their families, in making important decisions about their future medical care.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11123499 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
As Alzheimer's disease and related dementias progress, people often lose the ability to make their own medical decisions, making it crucial to plan ahead. Many patients with these conditions receive care from their primary care team, but these teams often lack specific training in how to discuss advance care planning for dementia. This project will provide primary care teams with education and communication skills training, using a special toolkit, to empower patients and families in making these important choices. The goal is to ensure that the medical care received aligns with a person's wishes and values throughout their illness.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is designed to ultimately benefit patients living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias and their families who wish to engage in advance care planning with their primary care providers.
Not a fit: Patients without Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, or those not seeking advance care planning, would not directly benefit from this specific intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective and compassionate advance care planning for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, ensuring their care aligns with their personal wishes.
How similar studies have performed: While no prior clinical trials have specifically addressed advance care planning for Alzheimer's disease in primary care, preliminary work with the toolkit used in this project has shown promising results.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KISTLER, CHRISTINE E — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- Study coordinator: KISTLER, CHRISTINE E
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.
Conditions: Alzheimer disease dementia, Alzheimer syndrome, Alzheimer's Disease