Investigating access to primary care for older adults and its disparities
Official title: Understanding and Addressing Disparities in Primary Care: A National Mixed Methods Study
Funded at Dartmouth College · NIH-10932943 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how older adults' access to primary care has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for those who might have a harder time getting care, to help improve healthcare for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $806,395 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG084611-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10932943 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults, especially those who are Medicare beneficiaries and belong to less-advantaged populations.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Medicare beneficiaries or those who do not face barriers to accessing primary care may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how access to primary care has changed for older adults, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It will analyze a national dataset that includes information on primary care practices and Medicare claims to identify trends in access and quality of care. The study aims to uncover the factors that contribute to disparities in healthcare access among less-advantaged populations. By examining these trends, the research seeks to inform policies that can improve primary care delivery for older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to high-quality primary care for older adults, particularly those in underserved communities.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success in addressing healthcare disparities through similar mixed methods approaches, indicating that this study builds on established methodologies.
Where this research is happening
-
Dartmouth College
Hanover, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schifferdecker, Karen E. — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Schifferdecker, Karen E.
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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.