Training peer health coaches to help patients with low health literacy make better health decisions

Re-thinking the role of Peers And Training Patients [RePeAT]

NIH-funded research University of Rochester · NIH-10887566

This study is all about helping people with low health literacy learn how to make better health choices, especially to prevent heart disease, by training peer health coaches who can guide and support them in talking with their doctors about their care.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Rochester NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rochester, United States)
Project IDNIH-10887566 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on training peer health coaches to assist patients with low health literacy (LHL) in making informed decisions about their health, particularly in preventing cardiovascular disease. The project aims to empower these patients by providing them with the knowledge, confidence, and skills necessary to engage in shared decision-making with their healthcare providers. Through this intervention, patients will learn how to actively participate in discussions about their treatment options and health management. The research will also explore the effectiveness of peer support in enhancing patient engagement and improving health outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with low health literacy who are at risk for cardiovascular disease.

Not a fit: Patients with high health literacy or those not at risk for cardiovascular disease may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the ability of patients with low health literacy to participate in their healthcare decisions, leading to better health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that peer support can effectively enhance patient engagement and decision-making in healthcare settings.

Where this research is happening

Rochester, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Cardiovascular Diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.