Improving surgical decision-making for people with dementia and their caregivers
Understanding and Improving Surgical Decision-Making for Persons Living with Dementia, their Family Caregivers, and their Providers: A Mixed Methods Study
This study looks at how decisions about surgery are made for people with dementia by talking to patients, their family caregivers, and healthcare providers, with the goal of creating better guidelines that match surgical choices with what patients really want.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10845466 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how surgical decisions are made for individuals living with dementia, focusing on the experiences of patients, their family caregivers, and healthcare providers. It employs a mixed methods approach to gather qualitative and quantitative data on the challenges faced during surgical decision-making, particularly in the context of limited information and unclear advance directives. By understanding these dynamics, the study aims to develop better guidelines and practices that align surgical options with patient preferences and goals.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living with dementia who may be facing surgical procedures, along with their family caregivers.
Not a fit: Patients who are not living with dementia or those who are not facing surgical decisions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved surgical outcomes and decision-making processes for patients with dementia and their caregivers.
How similar studies have performed: Previous pilot studies have indicated that individuals with dementia experience poorer surgical outcomes, suggesting that this area of research is both relevant and necessary.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Brigham and Women's Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Weissman, Joel S. — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Weissman, Joel S.
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.