Understanding why children with diarrhea often don't receive the right treatment.
What Drives Poor Care for Child Diarrhea?: A Standardized Patient Experiment
['FUNDING_R01'] · RAND CORPORATION · NIH-10649723
This study looks at why doctors in low- and middle-income countries sometimes don’t give children with diarrhea the lifesaving treatment of oral rehydration salts, even though it works well, and it aims to find out what influences their choices so we can help improve care for these kids.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | RAND CORPORATION (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SANTA MONICA, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-10649723 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This research investigates the reasons why private healthcare providers in low- and middle-income countries often fail to prescribe oral rehydration salts (ORS) for children suffering from diarrhea, despite its effectiveness in preventing deaths. By using standardized patients who pose as caregivers, the study aims to uncover the factors influencing healthcare providers' decisions, including patient preferences for alternatives like antibiotics. The findings will help inform strategies to improve the quality of care for children with diarrhea in these regions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who are experiencing diarrhea and their caregivers in low- and middle-income countries.
Not a fit: Patients who are not experiencing diarrhea or are outside the age range of 0-11 years may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment protocols that ensure children receive the necessary care to prevent diarrhea-related deaths.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding provider behavior and patient preferences can lead to significant improvements in healthcare delivery, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
SANTA MONICA, UNITED STATES
- RAND CORPORATION — SANTA MONICA, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WAGNER, ZACHARY — RAND CORPORATION
- Study coordinator: WAGNER, ZACHARY
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.