NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Improving decision-making for patients with severe breathing problems

Official title: Mentored Patient Oriented Research in Improving Surrogate Decision Making for Patients with Advanced Respiratory Failure

Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-10984300 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is all about helping doctors and patients with acute respiratory failure make better choices about treatment that match what patients really want, especially when it comes to end-of-life care, by improving communication and understanding between families and healthcare providers.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Pittsburgh, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2019
Project endJuly 31, 2029
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$125,819
NIH project number2K24HL148314-06
Project IDNIH-10984300 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are patients with acute respiratory failure who may require surrogate decision-making due to incapacitation.

Less likely to help

Patients with stable respiratory conditions or those who are not incapacitated may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing the decision-making process for patients suffering from acute respiratory failure (ARF) by mentoring clinician-scientists who will develop and test interventions aimed at reducing health disparities. It addresses the issue of patients receiving aggressive treatments that may not align with their personal values and preferences, especially near the end of life. The project emphasizes the importance of effective communication between healthcare providers and patients' families to ensure that care is consistent with patients' goals. By fostering collaboration among experts in health disparities and communication, the research aims to create more equitable healthcare practices.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved decision-making processes that align medical treatments with patients' values, enhancing the quality of care for those with advanced respiratory failure.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in improving patient-centered care through enhanced communication strategies, indicating that this approach has potential for meaningful impact.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
    Pittsburgh, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: White, Douglas B — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
  • Study coordinator: White, Douglas B

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.