Improving substance abuse treatment for underserved communities in Virginia
A Virginia Patient Engagement Resource Center to Improve Substance Abuse Treatment Interventions
This study is working to improve treatment for people with substance use disorders in Virginia by creating a center where those in recovery can share their experiences and help shape better support and services, especially for those in underserved communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124753 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance substance use disorder (SUD) treatment by establishing a Patient Engagement Resource Center in Virginia. The project will create a patient advisory panel consisting of individuals in recovery and peer recovery navigators to ensure that the perspectives of those affected by SUD are integrated into treatment design. By employing community-based participatory approaches, the research will identify barriers to treatment and develop strategies to improve engagement among underserved populations, particularly in high-poverty areas. The initiative will focus on fostering authentic collaboration between researchers and community members to enhance the effectiveness of SUD interventions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include adults with substance use disorders, particularly those from underserved and high-poverty communities in Richmond, VA.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have substance use disorders or those outside the targeted geographic area may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and accessible substance abuse treatment options for individuals in underserved communities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success in using community-based participatory approaches to improve health outcomes in underserved populations, indicating that this method is promising.
Where this research is happening
Richmond, United States
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zimmerman, Emily Beth — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Zimmerman, Emily Beth
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.