Transforming cancer patient navigation and community support
Advancing Cancer Control Engaged Research Through Transformative Solutions in Patient Navigation - Community Responsive Projects
This project develops survivor-led outreach and social-robot tools to help people with advanced cancer in underserved Chicago communities get the care and information they need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11187254 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, this project works with community partners to design and deliver better patient navigation so people with advanced cancer can overcome barriers like language, transportation, and low health literacy. In Year 1 there are two pilots: the Truth Talking Tour uses cancer survivors' stories to identify unmet needs and shape outreach, and Social Robots Empowering Patients explores small robots to help share information and reminders. The center also runs a rapid pilot-grant process to fund more community-driven projects that address local priorities. The work pairs community engagement with implementation science so changes can be practical, tested, and spread if they help people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people with advanced cancer (or survivors) living in Northwestern University's Chicago catchment area who face barriers to care, such as limited English, low health literacy, or transportation challenges.
Not a fit: People outside the Chicago/Northwestern catchment area or those who already have robust navigation support and no access barriers are less likely to benefit directly from these pilots.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could make it easier for patients in underserved areas to access cancer care, understand follow-up needs, and stay connected to services.
How similar studies have performed: Patient navigation and community outreach have shown benefits in other cancer settings, while the use of social robots for patient coaching is newer and still early-stage evidence.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lewis, Marquita W. — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Lewis, Marquita W.
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.