Improving decision-making for children with abdominal pain in emergency departments

Development and Testing of an Intervention to Facilitate Shared Decision-Making in Pediatric Patients with Abdominal Pain Presenting to the Community Emergency Department Setting

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-10894055

This study is looking at how to better diagnose and treat kids with tummy pain in emergency rooms by involving both doctors and families in the decision-making process, with the hope of reducing unnecessary tests and keeping kids safe.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-10894055 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing the way pediatric patients with abdominal pain are diagnosed and treated in community emergency departments. It aims to implement shared decision-making strategies that involve both healthcare providers and families, ensuring that parents and children are actively engaged in the diagnostic process. By evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies, the research seeks to reduce unnecessary imaging tests, like CT scans, which can expose children to harmful radiation. The ultimate goal is to improve diagnostic safety and patient outcomes in a setting that often lacks resources.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pediatric patients presenting with abdominal pain in community emergency departments.

Not a fit: Patients with abdominal pain who are treated in tertiary care emergency departments may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer and more effective diagnostic practices for children experiencing abdominal pain, reducing unnecessary radiation exposure.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that shared decision-making can improve patient engagement and outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be effective in similar contexts.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.