Improving palliative care for older adults in intensive care units
PCplanner: operationalizing needs-focused palliative care for older adults in intensive
This study is testing a helpful mobile app called PCplanner that aims to improve care for older adults in intensive care units by making it easier for families and healthcare teams to communicate and support each other, so everyone feels more informed and less stressed during a tough time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10593156 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the quality of palliative care for older adults admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) by utilizing a mobile app called PCplanner. The app helps identify high-risk patients by integrating data from electronic health records and engages families in the care process by providing supportive information and a platform for self-reporting needs. The goal is to improve communication and coordination between ICU teams and palliative care specialists, ultimately reducing unmet needs and psychological distress for patients and their families. The project aims to enroll patients, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals over five years to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are older adults admitted to intensive care units, particularly those with high needs due to conditions like dementia or declining health.
Not a fit: Patients who are not admitted to ICUs or those who do not require palliative care may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved palliative care experiences and outcomes for older adults in ICUs.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results with similar approaches in enhancing palliative care delivery, indicating potential for success in this project.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cox, Christopher Ethan — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Cox, Christopher Ethan
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.