Improving access to social services for patients in emergency departments
Official title: Enhanced Digital Access to Bridge Social Needs and Reduce Health Disparities: The e-SINCERE Study
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-11059980 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to help people in emergency rooms connect with services that can assist them with things like housing and food, making sure everyone gets the support they need for better health, especially those who might not have easy access to the internet or a phone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $2,307,354 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NR021501-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059980 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients visiting emergency departments who have unmet social needs, such as housing, food insecurity, or transportation issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not visit emergency departments or those who do not have social needs may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to better connect patients in emergency departments with social services that address their needs, such as housing and food. By using a combination of screening for social needs and advanced software solutions, the study aims to facilitate communication between patients and service navigators from United Way 211. The approach includes engaging with the community to ensure that the solutions are practical and effective, particularly for those who may lack stable internet or phone access. The goal is to reduce health disparities by ensuring that patients receive the support they need to improve their overall health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to essential social services for patients, leading to better health outcomes and reduced emergency department visits.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promise in linking social needs screenings to improved health outcomes, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wallace, Andrea Schneider — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Wallace, Andrea Schneider
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.