Understanding and addressing racial disparities in pain care for Black patients
Official title: Racial Disparities in Pain Care: A Comprehensive Integration of Patient- and Provider-Level Mechanisms with Dyadic Communication Processes Using a Mixed-Methods Research Design
Funded at University of Virginia · NIH-10930968 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $455,562 |
| NIH project number | 5R01NR020030-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930968 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black patients experiencing chronic pain who may have faced disparities in pain treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Black or who do not experience chronic pain may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hagiwara, Nao — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Hagiwara, Nao
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.