PCORI Stories
What does patient-centered research look like in the field? These short features provide a glimpse into the workings of the studies and projects we support. Hear from researchers what it’s like to partner with patients and other stakeholders, and from patients about being part of a research team.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 results
'You Have to Meet People Where They Are to Help Them': Patient Advisors Guide Successful Diabetes Self-Management Study
Comparing individually tailored text messages with other approaches to encourage people with diabetes to take care of themselves.
Empowering the Marshallese Community in Managing Type 2 Diabetes
New research shows tailoring diabetes education to meet cultural needs can significantly improve blood sugar levels in Marshallese patients with type 2 diabetes.
Preventing Postpartum Depression Closer to Home
A PCORI-funded study compares the effectiveness of prevention programs led by lay home visitors and mental health professionals that teach mothers-to-be the skills to improve their moods and bond with their babies.
Kentucky Community Fights Back against Cardiovascular Disease
In a region where cardiovascular disease risk is extremely high, a combination of self-management classes taught by trained community health workers and buy-in from community leaders led to a significant reduction in cardiovascular disease risk.
Expanding the Multiple Sclerosis Research Toolbox
A PCORI Engagement Award explores new avenues for increasing minority community participation in research.
Research to Help People with Serious Mental Illnesses Improve Their Health
People with serious mental illnesses often struggle to receive care to address common chronic physical health problems. PCORI-funded research projects are testing ways to help people with serious mental illness get the physical health care they need.
Coordinated Treatment Planning Shows Promise for Patients with Lung Cancer
People with lung cancer need several specialists for treatment. A PCORI-funded project found that with up-front treatment planning among the different specialists, patients get treatment that is more appropriate for their cancer’s severity.
Engaging Communities to Improve Depression Treatment
A coalition-based approach to care, bringing together clinicians and community members, helped people from low-income minority groups.
Improving Health in the Mississippi Delta through Powerful Engagement
A PCORI Engagement Award enables a cancer awareness and prevention program to expand its reach within rural, largely African-American communities facing high cancer rates.
Can Telehealth Improve Care?
Telehealth has the potential to provide access to care for a wide variety of populations that are now underserved. Two PCORI-funded studies are using telehealth in different ways to test its potential.
Home-Based Care for Chronic Kidney Disease
Kidney disease is rampant among Zuni Indians. Researchers test a novel home-based care model to combat the epidemic.
Can Virtual House Calls Provide More Patients with High-Quality Parkinson's Disease Care?
Patients with Parkinson's disease often have difficulty traveling to appointments with far-away specialists. Simple videoconferencing software may bring care into their homes.
Enlisting the Brain in the Fight against Pain
A project in Alabama takes a down-to-earth approach in teaching patients to think differently and cope more effectively with chronic pain. It may alleviate depression, too.
Using Mobile Technology to Increase Screening for Hepatitis B and C among Asian Americans
Americans of Asian ancestry have an increased risk of hepatitis B and, in some cases, hepatitis C, but many have not been screened for these illnesses. Researchers are testing an interactive app to see whether it encourages more people to be screened.
Between Clinicians and Patients, Trained Community Members May Provide a Key Link
Community health workers and patient navigators work to lower barriers patients may face in receiving care and following treatment plans. PCORI-funded studies are testing whether lay people on clinical teams make a measurable difference.
Under One Roof: Pulling Specialists Together to Improve Lung Cancer Care
Treatment of lung cancer requires the services of several specialists. A Memphis project is examining whether patient outcomes improve when care providers come together in a coordinated program.
In Care Transitions, a Chance to Make or Break Patients' Recovery
Poorly executed transitions between healthcare settings—for example, from hospital to home or a nursing facility—can harm patients and lead to additional hospital visits. PCORI is funding projects to improve transitional care.
To Fight Depression, Consider the Context
Low-income women are at high risk for depression and unlikely to get effective treatment. Researchers are testing whether helping underserved women with depression solve their most pressing problems leads to better mental health.
Improving Healthcare Outcomes in Rural Settings
Compared to the rest of the nation, rural America bears a disparate burden of healthcare challenges. Americans living in rural areas suffer from higher rates of chronic disease and have higher rates of disability or death due to unintentional injury.
The Decision is Yours: Engaging Patients in Depression-Treatment Choices
A tribal-run healthcare system in Alaska found that depression treatment wasn’t working well, partly because patients weren’t taking their medications. Researchers are developing a decision-support tool to help such patients.
Mejorando La Calidad de Vida Para Latinas con Cáncer de Seno
La mayoría de Latinas con cáncer de seno enfrenten más desafíos en manejar su enfermedad que la poblacion general. Una investigadora esta estudiando si grupos de apollo con relevancia cultural pueden mejorar la vida de estas mujeres - y de sus cuidadores.
Fighting Depression with the Power of Community
Inner-city minority groups have reduced access to traditional treatment services for depression; a partnership in Los Angeles expands on existing community resources to improve access to evidence-based services in a community-wide strategy.
Improving Quality of Life for Latinas with Breast Cancer
Most Hispanic women with breast cancer face extra challenges in dealing with the disease. One researcher aims to find out if culturally relevant group support can help such women and their caregivers.
