Improving unequal pain care by focusing on patient–provider conversations
Pain care disparities: A comprehensive integration of patient‐ and provider‐level mechanisms with dyadic communication processes using a mixed‐methods research design
This project looks at how conversations and interaction patterns between patients and clinicians affect pain treatment for people who often get undertreated.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11125808 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As a patient with ongoing pain, the team will observe and analyze how you and your clinician communicate during visits. They will use a mix of recorded visit interactions, surveys, and interviews with both patients and providers to capture real-world communication patterns. The study will include people from vulnerable and underserved groups to understand why some patients' pain remains undertreated. Findings will be used to suggest practical ways to improve interactions so pain care is fairer and more effective.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with persistent or chronic pain, especially those from racial/ethnic minority or otherwise underserved communities who receive care within University of Virginia–affiliated clinics, and their treating providers would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without ongoing pain, those not seeing a clinician in the study clinics, or those unwilling to have visits recorded are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to clearer clinician–patient communication and more equitable pain treatment for underserved patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research shows patient and provider factors matter for pain care, but combining both sides to track interaction dynamics is a newer approach with limited prior clinical proof.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hagiwara, Nao — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Hagiwara, Nao
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.