Study Area: Palliative Care Access and Outcomes

PaRC is at the forefront of developing and testing new models of palliative care to expand access and maximize impact for patients with serious illness.

Impact of Lifetime Stress, Racism & Neighborhood Deprivation on Outcomes of NSCLC

In this mixed methods approach, Dr. Rosenzweig and her team quantify how social, cultural and physical factors (including race, racism, poverty, trauma and neighborhood deprivation) comprising allostatic load influences subsequent disease outcomes directly, or are moderated through patient physical, emotional and financial distress. This examination provides risk metrics and patient voice for the creation and … Read more

The Breast Cancer Treatment Symptom Experience, Management and Outcomes According to Race (SEMOARS) Study

The Symptom Experience, Management, Outcomes According to Race Study (SEMOARS) is comparing the symptom incidence and distress, symptom reporting methods and outcomes, including the ability to receive full dose of prescribed chemotherapy between Black and White women as they proceed through chemotherapy. (Funding Source: NIM/NIMHD Grant 5R01MD01224505) Project-related publications  Symptom Experience, Management, and Outcomes According … Read more

A Cluster Randomized Trial of a Primary Palliative Care Intervention (CONNECT) for Patients with Advanced Cancer

Dr. Schenker and her team are currently analyzing data from this cluster randomized trial of an oncology nurse-led primary palliative care intervention, which enrolled 672 patients with advanced solid-tumor cancers and their 441 caregivers across 17 UPMC community oncology practices. (Funding Source: NIH/NCI Grant R01CA197103) Project-related publications Effect of an Oncology Nurse–Led Primary Palliative Care … Read more

Description and Outcomes of an Innovative Concurrent Hospice-Dialysis Program

A Concurrent Hospice and Dialysis Program was created by Dr. Schell and colleagues, where patients could obtain palliative dialysis alongside hospice services. The program aims to enhance access to quality end-of-life care and the experiences of patients, caregivers, and clinicians. (Funding Source: Palliative Care Research Cooperative Group)

Palliative Care Technological Extension and Assistance in the Community for Healthcare Outcomes in Western PA (Pal-TEACH)

Pal-TEACH is a project designed to improve access to palliative care using technology. The project began at McKeesport Medical Oncology, where Dr. Schenker piloted telemedicine and provided palliative care visits to high-risk patients. Currently, the project is at its second clinic, New Castle Medical Oncology, testing an e-consult model to address the unique palliative care … Read more