Improving diagnosis for patients needing urgent care or with stroke symptoms

Evaluating diagnostic decision support systems for patients requiring urgent primary or emergency care or with stroke

NIH-funded research Brown University · NIH-11087635

This study is looking at how smartphone apps called Symptom Checkers can help people with urgent health problems, like strokes, recognize serious symptoms and get the medical care they need faster.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBrown University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Providence, United States)
Project IDNIH-11087635 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how diagnostic decision support systems, particularly smartphone apps known as Symptom Checkers, can help patients recognize serious symptoms and seek timely medical care. It focuses on patients experiencing urgent health issues, such as strokes, where quick diagnosis and treatment are crucial for better outcomes. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of these apps in improving patient decision-making and reducing misdiagnosis in emergency situations. By analyzing patient interactions with these tools, the research seeks to enhance the accuracy of triage and diagnosis in urgent care settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing symptoms of stroke or other urgent medical conditions who may benefit from using diagnostic apps.

Not a fit: Patients with chronic conditions that do not require immediate urgent care may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment outcomes for patients experiencing urgent health issues.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that similar diagnostic apps can significantly improve patient decision-making and diagnostic accuracy, indicating a promising approach.

Where this research is happening

Providence, 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.