Successful Research Grant Applications

End-of-Life Education in the 3rd Year of Medical School
David Barnard
1R25CA116385-01
The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine proposes to enhance the third-year clinical clerkships' contribution to medical students' preparation to provide palliative care to cancer patients and others with advanced, life-limiting illnesses.

Dying at Home of AIDS & Cancer: Preferences & Outcomes
Susan Folkman and Judith Rabkin
5R01NR008293-03
A preliminary study to determine the feasibility of conducting a full-scale study to explain discrepancies between preferences and outcomes in type and site of end-of-life care and patient and caregiver well-being.

Patient-Centered Approach to Advance Care Planning
Karin Kirchhoff
5R01HS013374-03
This research will be useful in redesigning the federally mandated assessment of Advance Directives into an improved process of Advance Care Planning to better fit the spirit of the Patient Self Determination Act.

Systematic Assessment to Improve Hospice Outcomes
Susan McMillan
5R01NR008252-02
The primary aims of this study are to determine the efficacy of providing systematic feedback from standardized assessment tools for hospice patients and caregivers in improving hospice outcomes compared to the usual clinical practice and, using those standardized assessments, to identify symptom clusters in hospice patients and how they impact on caregiver and patient well-being.

Enhancing Patient-Oncologist Communication
James Tulsky
5R01CA100387-03
This project will expand the field of oncologist-patient communication by identifying key communication skills that may assist patients through difficult transitions and by creating an easily disseminable intervention to help oncologists implement these skills.