Improving teamwork and communication between patients and healthcare providers for better diagnoses
Official title: Safety II Together: Coupling teaming science with patient engagement and health information transparency to coproduce diagnostic excellence
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-10928222 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping patients and their healthcare providers work better together to avoid mistakes in diagnosing health issues, by finding ways to improve communication and teamwork during the process.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | September 29, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $999,346 |
| NIH project number | 5R18HS029362-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10928222 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients who are undergoing diagnostic evaluations in outpatient settings and their care partners.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently engaged in outpatient diagnostic processes or those with conditions that do not require ongoing diagnostic evaluations may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on reducing diagnostic errors in outpatient settings by enhancing communication and collaboration between patients and healthcare professionals. It aims to understand how shared mental models (SMMs) of the diagnostic process can be developed and maintained, ensuring that both patients and healthcare providers are aligned throughout the diagnostic journey. The project will identify effective teaming behaviors and create tools that empower patients and their care partners to actively participate in their diagnostic process, addressing potential blind spots that may lead to errors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and timely diagnoses, ultimately improving patient safety and health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While there is existing research on diagnostic errors, this approach of integrating patient engagement with teaming science is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, Eric J — University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston
- Study coordinator: Thomas, Eric J
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.