How health care use changed after recent disruptions
Health Care Utilization During Recent Shocks to the US Provider Delivery System
This project looks at how recent disruptions, like the COVID-19 pandemic, changed medical care for people with Alzheimer's and other complex health needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11144543 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We will analyze health records and insurance claims to track changes in visits, telehealth use, and deferred care during recent shocks to the U.S. system. The team will compare different physician organizations to see which ones adopted telemedicine and how that affected patient care. The work focuses on people with Alzheimer's, other chronic illnesses, and socially vulnerable groups (for example, low-income, rural, or minority patients) to identify who faced the biggest gaps in care. Findings will be used to inform short- and long-term policies to keep care accessible and appropriate for people with complex needs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with Alzheimer's or other long-term health conditions—especially older adults who are low-income, live in rural areas, or belong to minority groups—are the main groups this work aims to represent.
Not a fit: People without chronic health problems or those whose care was unchanged during the disruptions may not see direct benefits from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help shape policies and care practices that keep access to important medical services for people with Alzheimer's and other complex conditions.
How similar studies have performed: Other research showed telehealth use rose quickly and helped some patients keep access to care, but results are mixed and effects specifically for people with dementia are still uncertain.
Where this research is happening
Providence, United States
- Brown University — Providence, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Whaley, Christopher — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Whaley, Christopher
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.