Improving communication and medication adherence for Black patients with lupus

CO-LEADER: Intervention to Improve Patient-Provider Communication and Medication Adherence among Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

['FUNDING_R01'] · DUKE UNIVERSITY · NIH-10934355

This study is all about helping Black patients with lupus feel more comfortable talking to their doctors so they can stick to their medications better, by training healthcare providers in better communication and understanding the specific challenges these patients face.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorDUKE UNIVERSITY (nih funded)
Locations1 site (DURHAM, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-10934355 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing communication between healthcare providers and Black patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to improve medication adherence. It aims to address the unique challenges faced by these patients, including mistrust in the medical system and poor communication quality during clinic visits. The intervention, called CO-LEADER, involves training clinicians in culturally appropriate communication techniques and utilizing pharmacy refill data alongside patient-reported barriers to adherence. By fostering better communication and understanding, the study seeks to reduce racial disparities in health outcomes for SLE patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Black patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus who struggle with medication adherence.

Not a fit: Patients who are not Black or those without a diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved medication adherence and better health outcomes for Black patients with lupus.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that improving patient-provider communication can enhance medication adherence, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Where this research is happening

DURHAM, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: autoimmune disorder, autoimmunity disease, Autoimmune Diseases

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.