Improving the work environment for health workers in community health centers
Official title: Organizational strategies to support community health center well-being
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11054324 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about making the work life better for health workers at community health centers so they feel happier and stay in their jobs longer, which helps them take better care of patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $49,923 |
| NIH project number | 1R03HS030021-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054324 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients receiving care at federally qualified health centers, particularly those with chronic conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not receive care at FQHCs or those who are not part of underserved populations may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the work environment for health workers in federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) to reduce burnout and turnover. By partnering with the Colorado Community Health Network, the project aims to assess the needs of healthcare staff and implement leadership practices that promote employee well-being. The study will involve a multi-method approach to gather data from FQHCs and their employees, ultimately seeking to create a thriving workforce that can better serve underserved populations. The findings could lead to improved retention of healthcare staff, which is crucial for maintaining access to quality care for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more stable and satisfied healthcare workforce, improving access to quality care for underserved patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that improving work environments for healthcare workers can lead to better patient outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwatka, Natalie Virginia — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Schwatka, Natalie Virginia
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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.