How urology practice consolidation affects prostate cancer care
Urology practice consolidation and care for men with prostate cancer
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-11284067
This project looks at how merging or integrating urology practices changes the care men with prostate cancer receive, from monitoring to treatment and costs.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11284067 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team will compare how prostate cancer is managed when urology practices stay independent versus when they combine with other groups or hospitals. They will track care patterns such as use of active surveillance, monitoring of advanced therapies, and differences in diagnostic and treatment choices. The researchers will link practice organization changes to measures like guideline-concordant care, follow-up testing, and potential financial impacts on patients. Their work draws on real-world care data and information from affected urology practices to understand practical effects on men's care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Men diagnosed with prostate cancer, especially those on active surveillance or receiving urology-based treatment or follow-up, are the focus of the analyses and potential recruitment.
Not a fit: People without prostate cancer or whose care does not involve urology practices (for example, those managed entirely outside U.S. healthcare settings) are unlikely to be affected by this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify ways that practice organization improves consistent, guideline-based prostate cancer care and highlight policy or practice changes that protect access and quality for patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research in other specialties has shown that consolidation changes costs and care patterns, but its specific effects on prostate cancer management are not well defined and are the focus here.
Where this research is happening
ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR — ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SHAHINIAN, VAHAKN B — UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- Study coordinator: SHAHINIAN, VAHAKN B
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: Cancer Cause, Cancer Etiology, Cancers, Disease, Disorder