Improving Diagnoses for People with Disabilities
End Diagnostic Overshadowing: Addressing Ableism in the Healthcare Context
This project aims to understand and reduce how often new health problems are missed or delayed in people with disabilities because symptoms are mistakenly linked to their existing condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11159809 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
People with disabilities sometimes have new health issues overlooked because their symptoms are attributed to their existing disability, a problem called diagnostic overshadowing. This can lead to serious health consequences like missed or delayed diagnoses for conditions such as cancer, infections, or vascular events. This issue particularly affects those with major mobility impairments, mental health concerns, severe vision or hearing impairments, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and individuals from marginalized racial and ethnic groups. Researchers will analyze medical billing codes and conduct mock patient scenarios to understand why this happens and how to prevent it. The ultimate goal is to improve how healthcare providers recognize and treat new health conditions in people with disabilities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research focuses on people with disabilities, especially those with mobility impairments, mental health concerns, severe sensory impairments, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and individuals from marginalized racial and ethnic groups.
Not a fit: Patients without disabilities or those not experiencing diagnostic overshadowing may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses for people with disabilities, potentially saving lives and improving overall health outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: This research builds on existing knowledge about diagnostic errors and aims to develop new strategies to address a persistent problem in healthcare.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Rush University Medical Center — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ailey, Sarah Herrink — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Ailey, Sarah Herrink
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 below.