How timing changes treatment effects for older adults and palliative care patients
Heterogeneity in Treatment Effect Timing in Geriatrics and Palliative Care Studies
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · VA BOSTON HEALTH CARE SYSTEM · NIH-11006280
This project creates new statistical methods to show how when care or programs start affects outcomes for older adults and people receiving palliative care.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VA BOSTON HEALTH CARE SYSTEM (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11006280 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
As a patient, you should know researchers are improving the way we analyze real-world VA programs that roll out at different times so results better reflect what actually helps people. They will use VA patient records and compare a new approach called vector-based kernel weighting (VBKW) and entropy balancing against standard methods like inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW). The work focuses on situations where treatment or program start times differ across sites and over time, aiming to reduce bias in long-term comparisons. If successful, the methods will make findings from geriatric and palliative care program evaluations more trustworthy for patients and caregivers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are Veterans and other older adults who receive geriatric or palliative care services within VA systems and whose medical records are part of program evaluations.
Not a fit: People who are not Veterans, are younger than the focus population, or who are not included in VA program data are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If this succeeds, it could make VA and other health-system evaluations more reliable so care changes for older adults are based on more accurate evidence.
How similar studies have performed: Standard methods like IPTW are widely used but can be biased, while VBKW has shown promise in cross-sectional comparisons though it has not yet been proven for longitudinal rollouts.
Where this research is happening
BOSTON, UNITED STATES
- VA BOSTON HEALTH CARE SYSTEM — BOSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: GARRIDO, MELISSA M — VA BOSTON HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
- Study coordinator: GARRIDO, MELISSA M
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.