Understanding Quality End-of-Life Care for Patients and Caregivers
Improving Understanding of Quality End of Life Care Using a Dyadic Approach
This project aims to better understand what makes end-of-life care truly high-quality for patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11088916 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project aims to understand what truly makes end-of-life care high-quality, moving beyond simple measures like how much medical care is given or whether care matches a patient's stated wishes. We know that many patients with advanced cancer receive care they don't want, and their caregivers often face difficult grief after their loved one passes. This work will explore the experiences of both patients and their caregivers together, called a 'dyadic approach,' to create a more complete picture of what good end-of-life care looks like. By focusing on both perspectives, we hope to identify ways to better support families during this critical time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this work would be patients with advanced cancer and their informal caregivers who are experiencing end-of-life care.
Not a fit: Patients who are not facing advanced cancer or who do not have an informal caregiver involved in their end-of-life journey may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways of providing end-of-life care that better meet the needs of both patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers, potentially reducing unwanted care and caregiver grief.
How similar studies have performed: While previous studies have looked at aspects of end-of-life care, this project's 'dyadic' approach, considering both patient and caregiver perspectives simultaneously, represents a novel and less explored method.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Douglas, Sara L. — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Douglas, Sara L.
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.