Using electronic health records and behavioral nudges to improve palliative care for patients with serious illnesses.
Official title: Leveraging the electronic health record and behavioral nudges to promote primary and specialist palliative care for inpatients with serious illness: A pragmatic trial
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11111360 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to improve palliative care for people with advanced Alzheimer's and related dementias by using health records to find those who need it most, so they can get the right support and care that matches their wishes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $639,061 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG073384-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11111360 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with serious illnesses, particularly those diagnosed with advanced Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage Alzheimer's or those without serious illnesses may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the delivery of palliative care for patients with serious illnesses, particularly those suffering from advanced Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). By leveraging electronic health records and behavioral nudges, the study seeks to identify patients who would benefit most from palliative care services. The approach involves implementing prognostic triggers within the electronic health record system to ensure timely and equitable access to both primary and specialist palliative care. The goal is to align care with patients' preferences and improve their quality of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved quality of life and better alignment of care with patient preferences for individuals with serious illnesses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that implementing palliative care triggers can improve patient outcomes, suggesting that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Courtright, Katherine Rinaldi — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Courtright, Katherine Rinaldi
Related research
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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.