Predicting how surgery may affect your long-term independence
Improving surgical decision-making by measuring and predicting long-term loss of independence after surgery
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION · NIH-11376742
This project makes tools to predict and clearly explain the chances that older or frail Veterans will lose their independence after surgery.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11376742 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team will use VA clinical records and follow-up information to track whether people return home or remain in care after major operations instead of just looking at 30-day outcomes. They will combine frailty screens, medical history, discharge location, and readmission data to measure long-term loss of independence. Those data will be used to build prediction models and user-friendly decision aids to support conversations between surgeons, patients, and caregivers. The goal is to help Veterans make surgical choices that match their priorities for independence and quality of life.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older or frail Veterans who are planning or facing major surgery and who receive care within the VA system are the primary candidates.
Not a fit: People having minor procedures, younger healthy patients, or those not treated in the VA system are less likely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could give patients clear, personalized information about the risk of losing independence so they can make treatment decisions that match their values.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work shows frailty screening predicts short-term surgical outcomes and survival, but predicting long-term loss of independence and creating patient-facing decision tools is a newer area with limited proven results.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: HALL, DANIEL E — VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
- Study coordinator: HALL, DANIEL E
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.