Improving communication in childhood cancer hospitals with limited resources
Official title: Strategies to Improve Communication Structure and Quality in Low-resource Childhood Cancer Hospitals
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10981756 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping doctors and nurses in hospitals that treat kids with cancer communicate better, especially when a child's health is getting worse, so they can work together more effectively and provide the best care possible for young patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $398,207 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA287374-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10981756 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with cancer who are receiving treatment in low-resource healthcare facilities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients receiving treatment in well-resourced hospitals may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the quality of communication among healthcare teams in low-resource hospitals treating children with cancer. It aims to identify and address specific factors that affect communication during critical moments when a child's condition worsens. By developing and testing a comprehensive intervention, the project seeks to improve how medical teams coordinate care, ultimately leading to better outcomes for young patients. The research will involve collaboration with clinicians in these settings to ensure the interventions are practical and effective.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve survival rates and care quality for children with cancer in low-resource settings.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that improving interdisciplinary communication can enhance patient care, suggesting that this approach has the potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Malone, Sara — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Malone, Sara
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Genomics of childhood ALL across global populations
A wide-ranging study looks at how inherited genetics influence the risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia around the world.
-
Genomics of childhood ALL across diverse populations
A large international study will look at why children everywhere get acute lymphoblastic leukemia and how genetics may influence risk.
-
Sustainability of pediatric early warning systems to protect children with cancer in low-resource hospitals
Aimed at keeping children with cancer safer in low-resource hospitals by studying how a simple warning and action system (PEWS) is being adopted and kept going across multiple hospitals.
-
Targeting retrotransposons to help kids with hard-to-treat cancers like neuroblastoma
Aims to repurpose safe antiviral drugs to block retrotransposons in children with relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma to improve outcomes.
-
Better identifying late health problems in adult survivors of childhood cancer
This project uses computer learning with clinic exams, medical records, genetics, and survey answers to more accurately find conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart problems in adults who survived childhood cancer.
-
Community-led program to improve quality of life for Spanish-speaking families caring for a child with cancer
A family-centered, culturally responsive program aims to support Spanish-speaking caregivers of children with cancer and improve their quality of life.
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.