Improving kidney care for marginalized communities
Using Community Health Workers and Trauma-Informed Care Training for Clinicians to Improve Kidney Disease Outcomes in a Diverse Urban Community
This study is testing whether using trained Community Health Workers can help improve kidney care for Black and Hispanic patients facing challenges due to structural racism in healthcare.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 150 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Pennsylvania Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT06378476 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial aims to address the disparities in chronic kidney disease (CKD) care among Black and Hispanic populations by employing Community Health Workers (CHWs) to dismantle structural racism in healthcare. The CHWs will be trained to focus specifically on CKD care, while primary care clinicians will receive training in trauma-informed care to better support these patients. The study will assess the feasibility of this approach in improving access and outcomes for marginalized patients suffering from advanced stages of CKD.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are Black and Hispanic individuals with stage 4 or 5 chronic kidney disease who are Medicaid-eligible or uninsured and reside in high poverty areas of Philadelphia.
Not a fit: Patients who have a history of kidney transplant, are receiving dialysis, or have previously enrolled with a community health worker in the past two years may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this initiative could significantly improve kidney care access and outcomes for Black and Hispanic patients with chronic kidney disease.
How similar studies have performed: While there is evidence supporting the effectiveness of community health worker programs in various health contexts, this specific approach targeting CKD care in marginalized communities is innovative and relatively untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Chronic kidney disease stage 4 or 5 * Patient at participating general internal medicine or family medicine clinic * Medicaid-eligible or uninsured * Reside in high poverty Philadelphia zip code Exclusion Criteria: * No history of kidney transplant * Not receiving any form of dialysis * Not previously enrolled with a community health worker in the past 2 years
Where this trial is running
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Penn Medicine — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Molly Knowles, MPH
- Email: molly.knowles@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
- Phone: 267-624-5465
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.