Improving cancer navigation and care in Chicago neighborhoods
Advancing Innovations in Patient Navigation and Implementation Science
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · NIH-11187248
This project tests new patient navigation approaches that use community partnerships and health-system data to help adults in Chicago get timely cancer screening, follow-up, and treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CHICAGO, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11187248 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would be connected with trained patient navigators who work with community groups and clinics to reduce practical barriers like transportation, paperwork, and missed appointments. Navigators will use clinic data and learning-health-system tools to spot gaps in care and help fix them at the provider and clinic level, not just for individual patients. The team will compare these multilevel navigation approaches to more traditional navigation to see which methods lead to more completed screenings, faster follow-up after abnormal tests, and earlier treatment starts. Community feedback and clinic workflows will guide changes so improvements can stick in local health systems.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) living in Northwestern University's Chicago catchment area who face barriers to cancer screening, diagnosis, or treatment (for example, limited access to care, transportation, or insurance) would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who live outside the Chicago catchment area or who already have stable, timely access to cancer care are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help more people in under-resourced Chicago communities get timely cancer screening, follow-up, and start treatment sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows patient navigation improves screening and treatment completion, but using navigators to create lasting provider- and system-level changes within learning health systems is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES
- NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY — CHICAGO, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SIMON, MELISSA A. — NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: SIMON, MELISSA A.
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.