NIH-funded research R03 grant

Investigating differences in clinician compassion in primary care settings.

Official title: Compassion Disparities in Primary Care: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study

Funded at Rowan University · NIH-10878795 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how caring and compassion from doctors and nurses can change depending on different groups of patients, especially those who might not get the same level of care, and it wants to see how this affects patients' trust and willingness to follow their treatment plans.

Quick facts

Grant typeR03 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRowan University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Glassboro, United States)
Project startJuly 1, 2023
Project endJune 30, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$51,031
NIH project number5R03HS029414-02
Project IDNIH-10878795 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research include patients from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds who may experience disparities in healthcare.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not experience healthcare disparities or those who are not receiving care in primary care settings may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research explores how compassion from healthcare providers varies among different patient populations, particularly those affected by healthcare disparities. It aims to understand the impact of clinician compassion on patient trust and adherence to treatment. By using real-time assessments at the point of care, the study seeks to gather more accurate data on patient experiences and the factors that influence compassion in clinical settings. The findings could help identify specific behaviors that enhance or diminish the perception of compassion among diverse patient groups.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved healthcare experiences and outcomes for patients by fostering greater compassion in clinical interactions.

How similar studies have gone: While the focus on compassion disparities is relatively novel, previous research has indicated that addressing clinician behaviors can significantly impact patient trust and satisfaction.

Where this research is happening

  • Rowan University
    Glassboro, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Trzeciak, Stephen Walter — Rowan University
  • Study coordinator: Trzeciak, Stephen Walter

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • HEARTS hypertension and diabetes care in Guatemala

    This grant tests how well the HEARTS primary care model works in Guatemala to improve blood pressure and blood sugar control for patients.

    NIH research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · Ann Arbor, United States · NIH-11645315

  • Primary Care HEART-NET: boosting access to research in the Deep South

    A collaboration across three universities will build primary care research networks in Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi to improve access to care and help prevent and manage chronic diseases.

    NIH research University of Alabama at Birmingham · Birmingham, United States · NIH-11618658

  • Primary Care Bridge: Building Research in Diverse Geographic Settings

    A national network hub in New Mexico will connect rural clinics and communities to faster, more usable primary care research so patients in underserved areas can benefit from new evidence.

    NIH research University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr · Albuquerque, United States · NIH-11618652

  • WREN: Expanding Research Capacity in Rural Primary Care Clinics

    A nationwide network in Wisconsin will strengthen rural primary care clinics to participate in real-world research and bring more clinical trials to communities.

    NIH research University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, United States · NIH-11618649

  • Primary care research network in Oklahoma to boost rural patient trials

    A nationwide NIH-supported effort to strengthen Oklahoma’s primary care research network so doctors can run big clinical trials and real‑world studies in rural communities.

    NIH research University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · Oklahoma City, United States · NIH-11618645

  • PRaCTICe: A Rural and Frontier Clinical Trials Innovation Center

    A nationwide network is creating easier, community-led clinical trials in rural and frontier areas to bring more trials to patients where they live.

    NIH research Oregon Health & Science University · Portland, United States · NIH-11612362

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.