Community Health Worker Support for Seriously Ill Older Veterans
(PATH Trial)
Trial Summary
Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Remote Community Health Worker Support for Seriously Ill Older Veterans?
Research shows that community health workers (CHWs) can effectively provide emotional support and connect older adults to resources, improving their well-being. CHWs have been successful in extending care to vulnerable populations, such as those with multiple chronic diseases, by filling gaps in support left by traditional healthcare systems.12345
Is community health worker support generally safe for humans?
Community health worker programs have been implemented in various settings, such as maternal and child health in Tanzania and home visit programs in Ohio, without reported safety concerns. These programs focus on providing education, support, and healthcare referrals, and have been well-accepted in communities, suggesting they are generally safe for human use.678910
How is the Remote Community Health Worker Support treatment different from other treatments for seriously ill older veterans?
This treatment is unique because it involves community health workers (CHWs) providing remote support to seriously ill older veterans, focusing on emotional support and connecting them to resources, which is not typically addressed by standard healthcare teams. CHWs help fill gaps in support left by the healthcare system and family, offering a personalized approach that enhances care delivery and well-being.34111213
What is the purpose of this trial?
The investigators aim to support care partner's well-being and satisfaction with VA care and decrease their work burden by offering extra support from a trained Community Health Worker who will help connect the care partner to helpful resources in their communities and in the VA. The investigators also hope to help Veterans well-being and satisfaction with VA care by supporting their care partner more sufficiently allowing the care partner to focus on caregiving tasks.
Research Team
Nathan A Boucher, DrPH
Principal Investigator
Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, NC
Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for care partners of older veterans who are seriously ill with conditions like kidney disease, obstructive airway diseases including COPD, cancer, or dementia. These care partners should be living in rural areas and need support managing their caregiving responsibilities.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants receive additional weekly remote support from a trained Community Health Worker for 6 months
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for outcomes such as caregiver burden and satisfaction with VA care
Evaluation and Planning
Conduct semi-structured interviews and Delphi Method sessions to evaluate intervention effectiveness and plan for implementation
Treatment Details
Interventions
- Remote Community Health Worker Support
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
VA Office of Research and Development
Lead Sponsor