Shared Decision Making
CER of Encounter Decision Aids for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Faculty involved: Mary Politi
As a co-investigator on the PCORI grant and PI of the subaward from Dartmouth College, Dr. Politi aims to support women of low socioeconomic status through early-stage breast cancer treatment decisions by providing patients with point-of-care decision aids.
Child asthma exacerbation: Role of caregiver risk beliefs
Faculty Involved: Erika Waters, Jean Hunleth
Drs. Waters, Hunleth, and colleagues will used a mixed methods research design to gain in-depth understanding of the psychological and social factors that shape the decision making process that caregivers use to care for their asthmatic children. This project will provide evidence-based behavioral strategies to improve the lives of 6.2 million children who are affected by asthma.
Community Engagement in Research
Faculty involved: Mary Politi, Bettina Drake, Esther Lu, Aimee James, Jean Hunleth, Erika Waters, PhD, MPH, Vetta Sanders Thompson, Graham Colditz
This line of research strives to engage all members of the community throughout the research process to help navigate the healthcare process.
Health Literacy in the Context of Kidney Cancer & Smoking
Faculty involved: Erin Linnenbringer
This pilot project examined health literacy in the context of kidney cancer and smoking among rural populations in southern and central Illinois.
Informing Kidney Patients of Treatment Options
Faculty involved: Mary Politi
This project will develop tailored, patient-centered education materials to facilitate treatment decisions in patients with Hepatitis C infection and chronic kidney disease.
Optimizing Decision-Making about Breast Reconstruction after Mastectomy
Faculty involved: Mary Politi
This project will develop a preference-sensitive decision support tool for patients considering breast reconstruction after mastectomy. The tool will provide patient education, elicit patients’ preferences, and include personalized risk prediction to aid in the decision making process.
Supporting Cancer Patients Health Insurance Decisions
Faculty involved: Mary Politi, Aimee James, Esther Lu, Jean Hunleth
The goal of this grant from the American Cancer Society is to help cancer patients and survivors choose health insurance plans that best meet their health and financial needs. An existing decision support tool will be tailored based on patient interview data, and the modified tool will be evaluated with a 3-arm randomized trial.
Supporting Decisions About Cancer Clinical Trials in Rural Cancer Centers
Faculty involved: Mary Politi
This project will bring evidence-based decision tools to rural communities and attempt to support rural cancer patients’ participation in clinical trials.