Understanding how palliative care can improve surgical outcomes for older adults
Official title: A Layered Examination of the Patient Experience to Elucidate the Role of Palliative Care in Surgical Care for Seriously Ill Older Adults
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11092692 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how palliative care can make surgery better for older adults with serious illnesses by helping them feel more comfortable and supported, so they can focus on what matters most to them during their recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2021 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $580,582 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG070252-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11092692 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are older adults aged 65 and above who are facing major surgery or severe trauma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 65 or those not undergoing surgical procedures may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of palliative care in enhancing the surgical experience for older adults with serious illnesses. It aims to identify how palliative care can align treatment with patients' health goals, improve their quality of life, and alleviate suffering during and after surgery. The study will gather data on patient outcomes such as pain and depression, and explore the barriers to implementing effective palliative care in surgical settings. By addressing these gaps, the research seeks to improve the overall care and recovery of older surgical patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better surgical outcomes and improved quality of life for older adults undergoing major surgery.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that integrating palliative care in surgical settings can lead to improved patient outcomes, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cooper, Zara R — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Cooper, Zara R
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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UNCOVER-PC: Helping people with advanced cancer and their families get better palliative care
A project at Emory aims to find the best ways to give palliative care early to people with advanced cancer and to understand how it helps patients and their caregivers.
-
Digitally supported community workers helping HPB cancer patients receive early palliative care
A pilot program uses digital tools and community health workers to bring early palliative care and support to people with HPB cancers and their caregivers.
-
ICUconnect 2: helping older ICU patients and families get better palliative care
A multi-site study will test a mobile app that helps ICU teams deliver personalized palliative care to older adults and support families.
-
Caring for Older African Americans: Training Clinicians to Provide Quality End-of-Life Care
This grant aims to adapt and deliver a training program for clinicians so they can better understand and meet end-of-life care needs of older African American adults in both the South and North.
-
Support-T: a mobile tool to help people with progressive pulmonary fibrosis and their caregivers get palliative care and planning
A mobile app called SUPPORT-T helps people with progressive pulmonary fibrosis and their caregivers access palliative care and plan for the future.
-
Palliative care support for patients getting CAR T therapy for blood cancers
A clinician-led program designed to improve quality of life and ease the burden on patients and caregivers during and after CAR T cell therapy for blood cancers.
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.