Patient and Family Decision-Making - Active Research
Randomized Trial of Specialty Palliative Care Integrated with Critical Care for Critically Ill Older Adults at High Risk of Death or Severe Disability (PROPACC)
PI: Douglas White; Co-I: Jennifer Seaman
Funding Source: NIH/NIA - 5R01AG068567
Dates: 2020-2026
Description: Led by Dr. Douglas White and former PaRC faculty member Dr. Yael Schenker, this study combines a multicenter randomized efficacy trial with a concurrent qualitative study, to compare usual care with an early integration of specialty palliative care with the standard critical care for critically ill older adults at high risk of death or severe disability. Participants include 625 older, critically ill patients at high risk of death or severe disability in 10 ICUs within 6 hospitals in Pennsylvania. The ProPACC study will provide the first high-quality evidence regarding the impact of specialty palliative care integrated with critical care.
Related Studies: Supplement: Randomized Trial of Specialty Palliative Care Integrated with Critical Care for Clinically Ill Older Adults at High Risk of Death or Severe Disability (PROPACC)
Efficacy of a Self-Advocacy Serious Game Intervention for Women with Advanced Cancer (STRONG)
PI: Teresa Hagan Thomas; Co-I: Margaret Rosenzweig
Funding Source: NIH/NCI - 5R37CA262025
Dates: 2021-2026
Description: In this trial, Dr. Teresa Hagan Thomas evaluates the efficacy of a serious game to teach women newly diagnosed with advanced gynecologic or metastatic breast cancer self-advocacy skills. Research participants enrolled from across the UPMC Hillman Cancer Center network.
Related Studies: Self-Advocacy in Men
Publications:
Testing the effects of the Strong Together self-advocacy serious game among women with advanced cancer: Protocol for the STRONG randomized clinical trial
What are We Asking Patients to Do? A Critical Ethical Review of the Limits of Patient Self-Advocacy in the Oncology Setting
Evaluating the Content of Goals of Care Notes
PI: Gina Piscitello
Funding Source: Anonymous
Dates: 2025-2026
Description: Gina Piscitello, MD received funding from a donor to create a model to assess language in goals of care notes. She is working with Adam Frisch, MD, and his team to look at the content of goals of care notes.
Related Studies: N/A
Improving Primary Care Clinicians’ Advance Care Planning for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias
PI: Christine Kistler
Funding Source: NIH/NIA - 5R01AG083828
Dates: 2023-2026
Description: Dr. Christine Kistler is testing an educational and communication intervention to improve primary care providers’ advance care planning for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias.
Related Studies: N/A