Understanding Differences in Back Pain Treatments for Medicaid Patients
Unraveling Disparities in Non-Pharmacologic Approaches for Medicaid Patients with Back Pain
This project looks at why some Medicaid patients with back pain might not be getting non-drug treatments like massage or acupuncture as often as others.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177909 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
We are looking into why certain groups of Medicaid patients with back pain use non-drug treatments less often than white patients, even when these therapies are covered. Our team will review seven years of electronic health records from primary care clinics to see how often these treatments are referred and used. We will also talk with medical directors to understand clinic practices and conduct in-depth interviews with Black and Hispanic patients to hear about their experiences and challenges in accessing these therapies. This will help us understand the individual, clinic, and community factors that influence who gets these treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project focuses on Medicaid patients aged 21 and older who experience back pain, particularly those from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds in Oregon.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have back pain or are not covered by Oregon Medicaid would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help improve access to effective non-drug treatments for back pain for all Medicaid patients, especially those from racial and ethnic minority groups.
How similar studies have performed: While the issue of healthcare disparities is well-documented, this specific approach of combining EHR data with patient and provider interviews to understand non-pharmacologic back pain treatment disparities in Medicaid is a novel and comprehensive approach.
Where this research is happening
Portland, United States
- Oregon Health & Science University — Portland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Choo, Esther K — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Choo, Esther K
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.