Understanding and addressing racial disparities in pain care for Black patients

Racial Disparities in Pain Care: A Comprehensive Integration of Patient- and Provider-Level Mechanisms with Dyadic Communication Processes Using a Mixed-Methods Research Design

NIH-funded research University of Virginia · NIH-10930968

This study is looking into why Black patients often don’t get the pain relief they need and aims to find ways to improve pain treatment for them by understanding how patients and doctors communicate and work together.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Virginia NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Charlottesville, United States)
Project IDNIH-10930968 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the reasons behind the ongoing racial disparities in pain management, particularly focusing on Black patients who often receive inadequate treatment for their pain. By examining both patient and provider factors, as well as the communication processes between them, the study aims to uncover how these elements interact to influence pain care outcomes. The approach combines qualitative and quantitative methods to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics at play in patient-provider interactions. Ultimately, the goal is to identify effective strategies to improve pain management for marginalized populations.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are Black patients experiencing chronic pain who may have faced disparities in pain treatment.

Not a fit: Patients who do not identify as Black or who do not experience chronic pain may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management practices for Black patients, enhancing their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that addressing communication dynamics in healthcare can lead to improved patient outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Where this research is happening

Charlottesville, 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 Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019
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.