Strategies to improve how teams communicate in low-resource kids’ cancer hospitals
Official title: Strategies to Improve Communication Structure and Quality in Low-resource Childhood Cancer Hospitals
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11415632 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-hospital effort will test ways to strengthen teamwork and communication to protect children with cancer in settings with limited resources.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,157,005 |
| NIH project number | 4R01CA287374-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415632 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pediatric cancer patients treated at low-resource hospitals and the clinicians caring for them.
✕Less likely to help
Hospitals or patients in high-resource settings may not experience the same challenges or may not benefit from the specific interventions tested.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how communication between doctors, nurses, and other caregivers affects the care of children with cancer in under-resourced hospitals. Researchers will identify key communication patterns, develop a bundled approach to improve structure and clarity, and test interventions across multiple pediatric oncology units. The study involves clinicians and hospitals in low-resource settings, aiming to make high-acuity care safer and more coordinated for young patients. Outcomes include improvements in care delivery and patient experience during critical deterioration events.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to clearer teamwork and faster, better decisions for children with cancer in resource-limited hospitals.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that better interdisciplinary communication improves patient care; this project builds on a validated multilingual measure and tests a practical intervention bundle.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Malone, Sara — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Malone, Sara
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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.