How perceived discrimination affects communication and decision-making in serious illness care

Racial inequities in end-of-life healthcare: how perceived discrimination affects communication and decision-making during serious illness

NIH-funded research University of Washington · NIH-10839457

This study is looking at how racial differences and feelings of discrimination affect how patients with serious illnesses communicate and make decisions about their care, with the goal of finding better ways to support everyone, no matter their background, during tough times at the end of life.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-10839457 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how racial inequities and perceived discrimination influence communication and decision-making processes for patients facing serious illnesses. It aims to understand the disparities in palliative care and healthcare utilization among different racial and socioeconomic groups at the end of life. The project will involve creating a cohort of participants and utilizing advanced qualitative research methods to gather insights. The findings could lead to improved strategies for addressing these inequities in healthcare settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients from diverse racial and socioeconomic backgrounds who are experiencing serious illnesses.

Not a fit: Patients who are not facing serious illnesses or who do not belong to disadvantaged racial or socioeconomic groups may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more equitable healthcare practices and improved communication for patients from disadvantaged backgrounds during serious illness.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in addressing healthcare disparities through targeted interventions, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful impact.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, 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.