Improving communication between patients, families, and healthcare providers to enhance diagnostic safety.
Official title: Re-engineering Patient and Family Communication to Improve Diagnostic Safety Resilience
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-10914041 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to help doctors and families talk better to each other so that kids get the right diagnoses more safely and quickly, making sure everyone understands what's going on during their care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | September 29, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $997,021 |
| NIH project number | 5R18HS029346-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914041 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children receiving outpatient or inpatient care, particularly those with chronic conditions or complex health needs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in pediatric care or those without chronic health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing communication between healthcare providers and families to improve the safety of diagnostic processes in both outpatient and inpatient settings. It aims to identify and address the risks of diagnostic errors that can occur when communication is unclear or inconsistent. By implementing a structured communication intervention called PFC I-PASS, the research seeks to create a shared understanding among families and clinicians, ultimately reducing the likelihood of serious diagnostic delays. The study will analyze how effective communication can foster resilience in the diagnostic journey for pediatric patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the rates of diagnostic errors in pediatric care, leading to better health outcomes for children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that structured communication interventions can effectively reduce medical errors, indicating a promising approach for this study.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walsh, Kathleen Elizabeth — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Walsh, Kathleen Elizabeth
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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.